By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Three alleged New People’s Army (NPA) leaders in northern Negros were arrested following a joint operation at Barangay Cambayobo in Negros Occidental’s Calatrava town on Friday, January 6.

Authorities identified the arrested as Felix “Rigor/Budok” Susas, Jr., secretary of the now-defunct Northern Negros Front (NNF); Cherryl “Celo” Catalogo, NNF education staff; and Jalen “Cristel/Izumi” Susas, NNF education staff and medic.

The operation was conducted by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) and the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force at the village’s Sitio Pinamactinan.

Lt. Colonel J-jay Javines, 79IB commander, said Felix Susas has a standing warrant of arrest for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition issued by the Guihulngan City Regional Trial Court Branch 64, and has a pending homicide charge in the province’s Silay City.

Meanwhile, Jalen Susas was accused of murdering Renato Estrebillo last August 12, 2022 in the town’s Marcelo village, and Barangay Lalong village chief Benjamin Javoc in the same month last year.

The government forces recovered two loaded .45 caliber pistols with seven live bullets, a 9mm pistol with magazine, a holster, 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 had tipped them off due to their extortion and recruitment activities in the area./DGB, WDJ