NPA leader nabbed in Negros Oriental

A SUSPECTED leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Bondoc, Siaton, Negros Oriental Wednesday night.

Police identified the suspect as Marilyn “Aling Mita/Jong” Badayos, 47.

Senior Superintendent Harris Fama, acting director of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said the suspect is the secretary of the NPA’s South East Front-Komite Rehiyonal-Negros.

She has an arrest warrant for homicide issued by Bais City Regional Trial Court Judge Candelario Guillermo Gonzales.

Recovered from the suspect were a .45 caliber with five live ammunition, fragmentation grenade, and subversive documents.

The joint operation was conducted by the Siation Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Unit, and Philippine Army.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson, Public Affairs Office chief of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said the suspect was tagged in the killing of Private First Class Marlon Lanes of the 79th Infantry Battalion in Bais City on July 4, 2014.

Badayos was also involved in the ambush perpetrated by the NPA in Candoni town last February 18, which killed two policemen, Police Officer 3 Joeharry Peralta and PO1 Henry Pacheco, and injured two others and a civilian.

Meanwhile, Col. Francisco Delfin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Murcia, said the arrest of the suspect is “a better opportunity for the people in Negros to live more peacefully.”

“The rule of law must always prevail and we will ensure that justice will be attained by the victims of the NPA bandit group and Badayos,” he said in a press statement.

For his part, Brig. Gen. Harold Cabreros, commander of 3rd ID, said the arrest of Badayo is an accomplishment of the people of Negros Island Region, which can be attributed to the convergence of efforts of the army, police, and other stakeholders, including the civilians.

“It is a clear manifestation that the Negrenses are now more aware, open to provide information, and they have realized that armed violence has no place in the society,” he said.

Cabreros called on the rebels to return to the folds of the law.

“Help us improve the lives of our people while living in a peaceful society,” he added.

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