A high-ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front in Region 2 was arrested by joint operatives Penablanca, Cagayan province.
Combined forces of the 17th Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army in Cagayan, Intelligence Support Unit, 5th ID of the Armed Forces of the Philippines apprehended David Soriano, Regional Secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyon ng Hilagang Silangan ng Luzon.
Also arrested with Soriano was Jude Malana Cipriano, the driver of the Starex van with plate no. WML500.
They were traversing the provincial road in Peñablanca when intercepted by the joint police and military operatives who were tailing them.
Police Regional office said Soriano is suspected of being the mastermind in the ambush of police personnel in Baggao in February 2016. At least six policemen, who were on their way to investigate atrocities in Baggao, including the burning by rebels of heavy equipment in the area, were killed while 10 others were wounded in that incident.
Soriano was also the principal suspect in the murder of Gonzaga, Cagayan Mayor Carlito Pentecostes Jr in 2015.
Confiscated from Soriano and his driver were two 9mm pistols, which were found to be a PNP-issued properties; one fragmentation grenade; one rifle grenade and various subversive documents. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)
