2 NPA rebels nabbed in Quezon

MANILA, Philippines - At least two suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) were arrested in Lucena City, Quezon last Friday.

Col. Generoso Bolina, spokesman for the Southern Luzon Command, said Fidel Holanda and a certain Erwin Casiño were nabbed by members of the Army’s 201st Infantry Brigade along the diversion road in Lucena City at around 10 p.m.

The arrest was by virtue of a warrant for murder issued by the Regional Trial Court of Gumaca.

 Bolina said Holanda, who used the aliases Rocky, Susing and Jokay, is the secretary of a local communist unit operating in Southern Luzon.

No information about the role of Casiño in the NPA was provided. Military reports, however, said the two are rebel leaders in Quezon.

Authorities seized eight improvised explosive devices, an anti-personnel explosive, four mobile phones, a laptop, subversive documents and personal belongings from the two.

Col. Ed Ano, brigade commander, said the rebels plan to launch attacks in Quezon to scare those who do not give in to their extortion demands.

“This is a big blow to the NPA efforts in the Bondoc Peninsula since Holanda has been with the NPA since 1987,” said Maj. Gen. Eduardo del Rosario, commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division. – With Michelle Zoleta