MikeLigalig.com

by pna

Five suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels, including a leader, were arrested by elements of the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police during separate operations in Barangay Pubao, San Carlos City, and Barangay Refugio, Calatrava in Negros Occidental on Friday.

Major Enrico Ileto Gil, 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the arrested ranking NPA rebel was identified as Hernando Llorente, alias Adoy, the commander of the Negros Northern Front.

Gil said one of the four other rebels arrested was Llorente's wife, Bea. The remaining three are still undergoing interrogation and identification.

Found in their possession during the arrest were documents with high intelligence value, Gil said.

Appropriate charges are now being prepared for filing against them by the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the PNP.

Authorities said Llorente already has a standing warrant of arrest issued on January 20, 2012 by the Cadiz City Regional Trial Court for robbery in band.