NPA leader behind Guingona's ambush nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities have arrested a New People's Army (NPA) leader who is being tagged as responsible in the ambush of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona's wife, former Gingoog City Mayor Ruth de Lara Guingona, police said Monday.

Police said joint police and Army personnel arrested Reynaldo Agcopra, known as Commander Tarik in the communist movement, last August 10 in Sitio San Roque, Barangay Aposkahoy, Claveria town in Misamis Oriental province.

Agcopra's arrest was based on an arrest warrant issued by Judge Mirabeau Undalok of Branch 43, Regional Trial Court 10, Gingoog City for two counts of murder and multiple charges of frustrated murder in relation to the ambush of the former mayor last April 20.

Guingona was returning from a town fiesta when her convoy was attacked by armed men in Barangay Binakalan in Gingoog City.

The former mayor was hurt and her two bodyguards were killed in the attack.