By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Elements of the Philippine Army 15th Infantry Battalion, Regional Mobile Force Battalion-6, and Kabankalan City police recently captured a top New People’s Army (NPA) commander in Kabankalan City.
Authorities identified the arrested rebel commander as Abraham ‘Tikboy’ Villanueva, front secretary for the NPA South West Front, which operates in southern Negros Occidental.
Also arrested were 18-year-old Rona Magbanua, a resident of Barangay Asia in Hinoba-an; and 28-year-old Jomar Villarojo, a resident of Barangay Camansi in Kabankalan City.
Information released by the Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade noted the three were arrested while the combined forces were conducting combat operations in the area.
The three were reportedly wearing black sweatshirts with NPA markings, in observance of the insurgent group’s 50th anniversary.
Soldiers and police officers also recovered a loaded .45 caliber pistol, five .45 caliber bullets, and three fragmentation grenades.
The three are facing charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, as well as violation of the Commission on Elections gun ban./DGB, WDJ
