Arrest warrants out vs 40 NPAs in Isabela raid

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Arrest warrants have been issued for at least 40 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who swooped down on the police station of Divilacan town in Isabela last Nov. 29.

Senior Superintendent Jimmy Rivera, Isabela police director, said the court issued the warrants of arrest following the filing of charges of robbery in band against the guerrillas.

“The (attackers) were identified as (communist rebels) through the description that witnesses gave to a joint police-Army team of investigators. The details are with our investigation section,” he said.

The guerrillas were led by Rey Villadorez, head of the regional operations command of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ Kilusang Rehiyong Hilagang Luzon. 

Besides Villadorez alias Harold Magno, who is also said to be a member of the Executive Committee of Isabela’s Central Front of the traditionally Maoist CPP-NPA, a certain Jay Valencia was also named as one of the attackers.

Police said Villadorez and his followers arrived on board an Isuzu truck that they had commandeered and raided the Divilacan police station, carting away a number of firearms, including two M-16 rifles, a caliber .45 pistol, a fragmentation grenade, and a rifle grenade.

Three bandoliers with 22 short and 22 extended magazines loaded with ammunition as well as two-way base radio, seven complete sets of police uniforms, and office equipment, were also seized by the rebels.

Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley police director, said the truck was on its way to Maconacon town to transport solar panels for the government’s alternative energy project there when the rebels flagged it down.