A New People’s Army leader was arrested in Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, June 5.
The 6th Infantry Division identified the suspect as Edward Flores.
The military said the suspect with aliases Cess, Ruby, Rafa, and Ramon was the secretary general of the NPA Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR).
“Once a powerful figure, Flores' group has significantly weakened due to sustain decisive military operations that dismantled vertical platoon and neutralization of majority of its leaders and remaining members,” the 6th ID said in a Facebook post.
The 6th ID said Flores was also the Regional Urban Committee secretary, secretary of the dismantled Guerilla Front Tala, and spokesperson of the FSMR, that operates within the jurisdiction of the 6th ID.
“The arrest of Edward Flores marks another critical blow to the already crumbling structure of the communist insurgency within the area of responsibility of the 603rd Brigade. In fact, we have already filed multiple cases against him for acts of terrorism and for recruiting vulnerable youth into armed rebellion. His capture is a major setback to their ranks and operations,” 603rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Michael Santos said.
Recovered from the suspect were a Colt .45 pistol, a fragmentation grenade, and a smartphone.
"We will remain determined in our efforts to significantly reduce the capabilities of these terrorist criminals to harass innocent civilians. As the CTG continues to lose key leaders and more members, we will continue our pursuit until they are defeated. With the support of our civilian population and partner stakeholders under the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), we will not rest until this decades-long problem is resolved," 6th ID commander Major Gen. Ronald Gumiran said.
Flores faces murder, attempted homicide, and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act charges in various courts in Mindanao.