BACOLOD CITY -- Military troops and local policemen arrested three alleged leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Pinamactinan, Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Friday, Jan. 6.
The arrested NPA leaders were identified as Felix Susas Jr., who has aliases such as ‘Rigor,’ ‘Kenneth,’ ‘Glemore,’ and ‘Dapin,’ commander of SYP Platoon and secretary of Northern Negros Front (NNF); Cheryl Catalogo, alias ‘Celo,’ a member and educational staff; and Jalen Susas, with aliases ‘Cristel,’ ‘Izumi,’ and ‘CG,’ medical staff, acting finance officer, member, and educational staff of NNF.
The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), 6th Special Action Battalion of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF), Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-6, 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Force Company, and municipal police stations of Calatrava and Toboso conducted a joint operation against these personalities, after receiving complaints from residents on the alleged presence of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA rebels in the area and reportedly conducting extortion activities.
Authorities seized from them war materials, including two .45 caliber pistols, a .9mm caliber pistol, four rifle grenades, two magazines and seven ammunition of .45 caliber pistol, a magazine, and 18 ammunition of .9mm caliber pistol, a holster, 11 wallets containing a total of P4,106, three backpacks, and some personal belongings.
According to the Army, Felix Susas Jr. has a standing arrest warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law issued in Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 64 in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
He is also facing homicide charges in RTC Branch 40 in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Felix Susas is also facing two murder complaints for the death of Renato Estrebillo on August 12, 2022, in Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava town, and Barangay Lalong Captain Benjamin Javoc in Calatrava town who was killed on August 26, 2022, according to a report from the 3rd Infantry Division (ID).
A cash reward amounting to P500,000 was earlier offered for the arrest of Roger Fabillar alias ‘Arnel Tapang’ or ‘Jhong,’ who was tagged in the killings in Calatrava town, including the deaths of Javoc and Estrebillo.
Murder charges have already been filed by the police against the perpetrators, even before the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command – Northern Negros Guerilla Front of the NPA (RJPC-NPA) admitted that they were behind the said killings.
In his message, Major Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, lauded the troops for the success of the said joint operation.
He also thanked the residents for trusting the government soldiers by reporting sightings of the NPA rebels in the community.