ILOILO CITY — The arrest of a top leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) will weaken its morale in Panay Island.
“Adora Faye de Vera is more than a local figure. The impact will be felt,” said Major Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commanding general of the Philippine Army 3rd Infanty Division (ID).
The 67-year-old De Vera, sister of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero de Vera, was nabbed by combined elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Quezon City last Thursday, Aug. 24, by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Guilljie Delfin Lim in March 2006.
De Vera is facing a case of multiple murder with the use of explosives as well as a frustrated murder case for a 2005 attack that killed nine Army Scout Rangers in Calinog, Iloilo.
“De Vera’s arrest shows that CPP-NPA leaders or rebels cannot hide from the long arm of the law,” Arevalo told Manila Bulletin in a phone interview Friday, Aug. 26.
At the time of the crimes, De Vera served as deputy secretary of the CPP-NPA in Panay Island and was based in Capiz. She was also a former regional education division and secretary for the CPP-NPA Central Front Committee on Panay Island.
De Vera is in the custody of the Calinog Municipal Police Station.