By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested Thursday morning by soldiers from the Philippine Army 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB), along with Escalante City police officers, in the city’s Barangay Balintawak.

Police identified the suspect as 49-year-old Rem Lanie Pintor, a resident of Purok Bagong Buhay 1 in the said barangay.

According to information provided by Escalante City police, they received a call from the 79IB stating they arrested Pintor while they were conducting hot pursuit operations in the vicinity.

Soldiers recovered a rifle grenade, which was placed on a plastic container; along with the suspect’s motorcycle.

The army also suspect Pintor is a member of the NPA and are presently conducting an investigation into his background.

Meanwhile, Pintor is facing charges for illegal possession of explosives and is detained at the Escalante City Police Station./DGB, WDJ