NPA-Caraga finance officer arrested

BUTUAN CITY – The list of establishments, including mining and construction firms, giving money to New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in Caraga has been forwarded to President Duterte, the 4th Infantry Division (ID) announced yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Ronald Villanueva, 4th ID commander, issued the statement following the arrest of Leonida Guao, finance officer of the NPA’s Komisyon Mindanao, with aliases of Leah, Ligaya and Laya, at about 3 p.m. on Friday.

The arrest was based on a warrant issued by Bayugan Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge Lou Nueva on Dec. 7, 2017 for murder.

When asked for comment on the list of NPA contributors, the National Democratic Front-Northeastern Mindanao said the military and police are merely engaging in psy-war.

In Northern Samar, four NPA guerrillas surrendered to the 20th Infantry Battalion yesterday, Gen. Oscar Lacurom, 803rd Brigade commander, reported.

Richard Avino, Teny Gerbon, Arnel Aquino and a woman who has yet to be identified also turned over their guns and ammunition.

Lacurom denied the claims of militant groups that soldiers snatched the rebels from their respective houses in Sitio Kanunghan, Barangay Osmeña, Palapag.

“These militant groups are making a scenario to discredit the government,” he said.

Lacurom said the surrenderees would receive between P50,000 to P70,000 in financial assistance under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program.