CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City — A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Central Luzon with a P4.7-million bounty on his head was arrested by government forces in his lair in Mexico, Pampanga at around 9:30 a.m. Friday, the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) announced Saturday.
The arrest of Jose Bernardino alias “Oying”, secretary of the NPA Central Luzon Regional White Area Committee, came two days after Amanda Echanis alias Waya, an NPA finance officer in Cagayan Valley, was apprehended by government authorities in Baggao, Cagayan.
Major General Alfredo Rosario, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, said Bernardino “is at the forefront of extortion, labor organizing and youth recruitment in Region 3’s urban areas.”
Rosario said the suspect was arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by Presiding Judge Paul Attolba Jr. of Bangbang, Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court Branch 30.
“The arrest is a proof that no one can evade the long arms of the law and that criminals will sooner than later pay for all the crimes that they committed against the people and the state,” he said.
Recovered from the suspect were a .45-caliber pistol, one hand grenade, an NPA flag, enemy documents with high intelligence value, and personal effects. Lt. Gen. General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, commander of Northern Luzon Command, the soldiers and policemen involved in the arrest of the NPA leader. (Liezle Basa Inigo)
