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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Service pistol of slain police officer recovered from suspected NPA leader

Service pistol of slain police officer recovered from suspected NPA leader

Published Sep 23, 2020 06:07 pm

DUMAGUETE CITY (PNA) – The Glock pistol that was issued to the late police chief of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, who was ambushed three years ago, was recovered from a suspected New People’s Army (NPA) leader who was arrested over the weekend in that locality.

The Glock pistol issued to the late police chief of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Supt. Arnel D. Arpon, was recovered from a suspected New People's Army leader who was arrested during a joint military and police operation on Sunday (Sept. 20, 2020). Arpon and five of his men were killed in an ambush on July 21, 2017 in Barangay Magsaysay, Guihulngan City, allegedly by NPA members. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army via PNA / MANILA BULLETIN)

A statement from the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army on Tuesday evening said the firearm confiscated from the suspected NPA leader, Adidas Kadusale Acero, was that of the late Supt. Arnel D. Arpon.

Arpon and five of his men were killed while three other policemen were wounded in an ambush allegedly perpetrated by the NPA on July 21, 2017 in Barangay Magsaysay, Guihulngan City. They were then divested of their service firearms and personal belongings.

Suspected high-ranking NPA leaders Acero, alias "Baldo BJ", vice commander, Front Operational Command, and Nona Espinosa, alias "Ava/Jelay", deputy front secretary of Central Negros 1 Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor, who have eight warrants of arrest for various crimes, were arrested in Barangay Buenavista, Guihulngan City during joint military and police operations last Sunday.

Other individuals also arrested were identified as Lea Canja Niles, Xian Flores Batiken, Rodrigo Himino Benlot, Felix Baquilta Policher, Analyn Matusada Flores, Crispin T. Diano, and Juravilla Eno Baloy.

During their arrest, the government troops recovered one 9mm Glock 17 pistol, three .45-caliber pistols, two hand grenades, one .357-caliber revolver with five ammunition; 81 rounds of ammunition, six magazines for caliber 9-mm and .45-caliber pistols, one set of dental instruments, subversive documents, and other items.

The Glock pistol, with markings “Made in USA”, “GLOCK INC” and serial number AAAN274 was verified by the Firearm Verification office of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office last Monday, the Army statement said.

It said the Glock pistol was recovered from Acero during the serving of warrants for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.

“With the identification of the firearm as legitimately owned by the late Police Supt. Arpon, it could aggravate and bolster the case against the NPA leaders Adidas Acero and Nona Espinosa, including their cohorts that they were part of the NPA group who ruthlessly murdered the policemen,” the statement said.

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