2 ‘rebel leaders’ arrested in Samar

CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines – A couple said to be ranking leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) movement in Samar was arrested recently for charges of robbery with homicide, the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division said yesterday.

Juan Paolo Rodrigo Versosa alias “Cocoy” was reportedly an intelligence officer of the NPA-Samar provincial party committee, while his wife, Grace, was a staff of the “reproduction bureau” of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

The suspects were arrested based on a warrant issued by a local court. They are currently in police custody.

Maj. Gen. Gerardo Layug, commander of the 8th ID based in this city, described the couple’s arrests as a “big blow to the NPA movement in Samar.”

Layug said they are expecting more arrests of ranking rebels in the next few weeks, as he noted that residents are cooperating with the authorities.

He lauded the members of the Army and Philippine National Police units that arrested the couple.

Meanwhile, after 12 years in hiding, an alleged former secretary of the NPA in Surigao del Sur fell into the hands of the authorities last Friday.

Elpedio Gomez, alias ”Rambo,” was in the list of 15 most wanted criminals in the Caraga region and carried a P75,000 bounty on his head, Lingig town police said.

Gomez was reportedly facing double murder charges before a court in Agusan del Sur. He was arrested in Sitio Mabaho, Barangay Mahayahay at past 8 p.m.