By AARON RECUENCO/ZALDY COMANDA
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JOINT police and military operatives arrested on Monday a ranking communist rebel leader with a bounty of P700,000 in an operation in Balbalan, Kalinga.
Brig. Gen. R’Win Pagkalinawan, director of the Cordillera Administrative Region Police, said the arrested leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was under the Lejo Cawilan Command, Kilusang Larangang Gerilya Baggas which is operating in the province of Kalinga.
He identified him as 54-year-old Pancho Diwag Lunes who uses the alias Edgar.
“He is facing a case of double murder and multiple frustrated murder with no bail recommended,” said Pagkalinawan.
Police said the charges were filed against Lunes for his involvement in the ambush of soldiers in Balbalan, Kalinga in 2002.
Lunes was collared at 7:45 p.m. on Monday after government intelligence operatives tracked down his location in Sitio Ubel, Barangay Gawaan, Balbalan town of Kalinga.
Communist rebels operating in Kalinga are from the Lejo Cawilan Command, Kilusang Larangang Gerilya Baggas under the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional party Committee.
Pagkalinawan said Lunes is on the government wanted list with a reward of P700,000 for his capture.
Lunes is now under the custody of the local police for documentation and debriefing. He will be turned over to the court of origin for proper disposition.
