BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO & JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was arrested at the Iloilo Hall of Justice on Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City Proper.
The suspect, only identified as “Ka Sherra” of Tigbauan, Iloilo, was arrested at 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, while inside the courthouse to attend her other criminal cases.
The suspect was a wanted person in the municipality of Tapaz, Capiz, for multiple violations of Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, with arrest warrants issued by Judge Judith Orendain-Tonogbanua of the Regional Trial Court 6, Branch 20 in Mambusao, Capiz.
Ka Sherra is currently under the custody of the Tapaz Municipal Police Station.
Based on information gathered by the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), Ka Sherra was a former political guide of Squad 2 of the Regional Sentro de Gravidad, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay.
She was arrested on Dec. 7 this year for harboring in their house in Tigbauan, Iloilo, fugitives identified as “Ka Mig,” “Ka Joan,” and “Ka Ron-Ron.” They were alleged NPA members who had six arrest warrants.
However, according to reports, the suspect was released following an order from an official of the Iloilo Prosecutors Office, which prompted an investigation by the PRO-6.
Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, PRO-6 director, said they would seek guidance from the higher headquarters before filing appropriate cases against those who committed lapses in ordering the release of Ka Sherra.
“Inter-agency cooperation and collaboration have once again proven to be more effective and efficient in our counterterrorism efforts. The arrest of Ka Sherra is a prelude; more arrests of rebels are on deck. Kaya’t habang may panahon pa ay sumuko na po kayo, at ng maka-avail pa ng mga programs ng gobyerno na makakatulong sa inyong pagbabagong buhay, kasama ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay,” said Villaflor./PN
