BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) leaders in northern Negros were arrested in a joint military and police operation in Sitio Pinamactinan, Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.
Felix “Rigor/Budok” Susas Jr. was said to be the secretary of the now-defunct Northern Negros Front (NNF) and former commanding officer of the Regional Security Force-Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, while Cherryl “Celo” Catalogo was a suspected NNF education staff.
Jalen “Cristel/Izumi/Cg” Susas, on the other hand, was believed to be an NNF medical and education staff.
The suspects were caught on Friday, Jan. 6.
They were detained at the Calatrava Municipal Police Station.
Troops of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB), Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6, 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, the 6th Special Action Battalion of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, and Calatrava and Toboso police conducted the operation.
Lt. Colonel J-jay Javines, 79IB commander, said Felix had a standing warrant of arrest for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition issued by the Guihulngan City Regional Trial Court Branch 64. He also has a pending homicide charge in Silay City.
Jalen, meanwhile, was accused of murdering Renato Estrebillo on Aug. 12, 2022 in Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava and village chief Benjamin Javoc of Barangay Lalong on Aug. 26, 2022.
The government forces recovered two loaded .45 caliber pistols with seven live bullets; a 9mm pistol with magazine, holster, and 18 rounds of ammunition; four rifle grenades; personal belongings; medical supplies; and subversive documents.
Javines attributed the success of the operation through the concerted efforts of both the military and law enforcement, as well as the local residents who have tipped them off due to their extortion and recruitment activities in the area.
He also called on the remnants of the defunct NNF to lay down their arms, live a normal life with their families, and avail themselves of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
“We are more than willing to welcome you back into the mainstream society. Our government has laid [out] programs for rebels who wish to surrender, such as E-CLIP. For those who do not wish to surrender, we will relentlessly hunt you down until you will have no other option but to lay down your arms and surrender or die fighting for a futile cause,” the 79IB commander added. (PNA)/PN
