BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, one of whom was believed to be a high-ranking leader, were arrested in a joint operation of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB) and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) in Barangay Suay, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, early morning on Friday.
Authorities identified the suspected NPA leader as Ramon Patriarca, alleged secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros.
Also arrested were Carmen Jonahville Matarlo alias “Loisa” and “Avon” and John Michael Baldonado alias “Calvin”, “Clent”, “Harold”, and “Getic”.
The 303IB commander, Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, said Army soldiers and NOCPPO operatives served arrest warrants against Patriarca for 10 counts of murder.
The arrest warrants were issued by Judge Suseco Arcam of the Tagbilaran City Regional Trial Court, Branch 47.
A further search of the place where the suspects were staying yielded two fragmentation grenades, a loaded KG9 along with two magazines, two .45 pistols, 310 rounds of AK-47 bullets, subversive documents, 25 mobile phones, and a flag of the National Democratic Front.
The three suspects were detained at the Himamaylan city police station./PN
