TWO suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels wanted on numerous charges were arrested in Negros Occidental last week, police said on Tuesday.
Aurora Cayon and Louie Antonio Martinez, also known as Louie Castro, both holding key positions in the communist group, were arrested by joint police and military operatives last Thursday, October 19, in Barangay Dulao, Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Cayon is facing charges of robbery with violence or intimidation of person and arson, while Martinez is facing murder and multiple attempted murder and a local court has issued warrants of arrest against them.
Authorities confiscated a caliber .45 pistol, a hand grenade, magazines, and ammunition from the two suspects, said Philippine National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa who presented the arrested suspects to the media in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The PNP chief said Cayon was a staff member of the National Finance Commission (NFC) of the NPA, while Martinez was the national military staff and logistics officer of the rebel group.
"I am certain that the capture of two officials will deal a great blow to the CPP-NPA group," the PNP chief said during a press conference.
Dela Rosa said additional cases were already filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental against the two NPA rebels, including that of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. (SunStar Philippines)