Wanted NPA leader falls in Digos City

MANILA, Philippines - A wanted New People’s Army (NPA) leader in Mindanao was arrested yesterday in Digos City, Davao del Sur while another rebel was killed in a clash in Northern Samar last Saturday, the military said.

Capt. Severino David, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command, said NPA leader Maria Loyda Magpatoc, 52, was nabbed by security forces at a terminal in Barangay Zone 3, Digos City yesterday morning.

David said Magpatoc, alias Gwen, is the front secretary of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Regional Committee. She was arrested by virtue of a court warrant for robbery with double homicide and damage to property.

“Magpatoc was considered a notorious criminal for directing a series of criminal activities like murder, extortion and kidnapping in the areas of Socsksargen and parts of Davao del Sur, North Cotabato and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat,” David said.

Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz gave assurance that the NPA leader would be accorded fair trial.

Meanwhile, a communist rebel was killed and two soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Laoang, Northern Samar last Saturday.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesman of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said men of the 34th Infantry Battalion were patrolling Barangay Rombang when they were fired upon.

A 45-minute clash then ensued, resulting in the death of one NPA guerrilla and the wounding of Pfc. Ambel Cabanjen and Cpl. Allan Virtudazo.

Soldiers recovered two M-16 rifles, two improvised explosives, four backpacks, and two civilian bags at the clash site.

Gutierrez said the rebels encountered by the state forces had been demanding money and food from villagers.               – Alexis Romero, Edith Regalado