BACOLOD City – A suspected Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebel wanted for murder for 18 years, and a companion were arrested in the remote village of Santol in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental on Sunday morning, Sept. 10.
The suspects were identified as Judy Blazer, 61, and Junjie Camanso, 30, both from Barangay Santol.
“Both are members of the CPP-NPA’s Yunit Militia (YM) operating in the area,” said Major Randy Babor, chief of the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station, who led the joint military and police operation.
Blazer has an arrest warrant for murder without recommended bail issued on Feb. 9, 2005, by then-acting Presiding Judge Edgardo Catilo of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 55 in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, Camanso is wanted for attempted murder under the arrest warrant signed by Presiding Judge Walter Zorilla of the RTC Branch 55 on Sept. 28, 2019, with a P120,000 recommended bail.
“The Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion, in partnership with the Philippine National Police, will continue its efforts in intensifying joint enhanced operations against the remaining members of the communist-terrorist group to sustain peace and development in central Negros,” said Major Alenel Valles, acting civil-military operations officer.
In July last year, a clash between NPA fighters and government forces in Barangay Santol led to the deaths of four rebels.
An encounter in Sitio Bugalo in August 2021 resulted in the death of a rebel while a soldier and a civilian sustained injuries. (PNA)/PN
