Alleged officers’ arrest ‘a setback for NPA’

MANILA, Philippines - The arrest of two alleged officers of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar last Friday was a big setback to insurgency as it was made possible by civilians, the military said yesterday.

Cpt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesman of the Samar-based 8th Infantry Division, said more rebels are expected to be arrested due to the reports provided by informants.

“The arrest is a big blow to the NPA in Samar. The arrest of other NPA personalities is expected to follow as common people are now reporting the locations of NPA leaders and their subordinates,” Gutierrez said.

The military has repeatedly claimed that the rebels are losing mass base and support due to their atrocities.

 The NPA, however, denied this, saying the military is just conducting a misinformation campaign. The rebels even claimed that their movement is getting stronger due to the social problems plaguing the country.

On Friday, Juan Paolo Versoza and his wife, Grace, were arrested in Marikina City. Versoza is believed to be an intelligence officer of the NPA Samar provincial party committee while his wife is reportedly a member of the Eastern Visayas regional party.

Catbalogan, Samar courts issued arrest warrants for Versoza for robbery with homicide and Grace for illegal possession of explosives.

The military said there are about 4,000 communist rebels in the country.