By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) director, Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, yesterday confirmed suspected New People’s Army (NPA) leader Virgilio Paragan was brought before the Kabankalan City Regional Trial Court following his arrest last Sunday in Capiz. The police official said the suspect was brought before the court to verify the charges against him but authorities were unable to find a warrant of arrest in the city.
He explained, Paragan’s recent arrest may be related to a different case.
The NOPPO director said, after being brought to Negros Occidental, he is not sure who has custody of the suspect.
“Based on the reports, some of Paragan’s victims positively identified him [in connection to] the murders,” Baleros said. He added, the suspected NPA commander may have other pending arrest warrants from other courts in the province.
According to Police Regional Office-6 director, Police Brigadier General John Bulalacao, Paragan served as commanding officer for the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Roger Mahinay Command from 2000 to 2004.
In addition, Paragan is one of Police Regional Office-7’s most wanted following multiple murder and attempted murder charges. The reported criminal activity forced the suspected NPA leader into hiding, particularly after a string of killings and ambush incidents involving police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit.
He is also considered a wanted terrorist by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of National Defense. The government departments have also placed a P1,050,000 bounty on the suspected terrorist.
Paragan is the second NPA leader from Negros arrested after National Democratic Front-Negros leader Ka Frank Fernandez was arrested, along with his wife and another person, in Laguna earlier this year./DGB, WDJ