Three alleged high-ranking members of the New People’s Army were apprehended in Sitio Pinamactinan, Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, Friday night, January 6.
Arrested were Felix Susas Jr., alias Jun and Rigor, 45, secretary of the defunct Northern Negros Front (NNF) and former commanding officer of the Regional Security Force-Komiteng Rehiyon Negros; Cheryl Cantero Catalogo, alias Celo, 27, NFF education staff; and Jalen Susas, alias Cristel, Izumi and Cg, 35, NFF medical and education staff, the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army reported on Saturday.
Seized from the three were two .45-caliber pistols with two magazines and seven rounds of live ammunition, one 9mm pistol with magazine, a holster and 18 rounds of live ammunition, four rifle grenades, medicines, personal belongings, and subversive documents, the report said.
Felix Susas has a standing arrest warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) issued by the Guihulngan City Regional Trial Court Branch 64 and is facing homicide charges in Silay City.
He is also facing two murder complaints for the death of Renato Estrebillo on Aug. 12, 2022 in Brgy Marcelo, Calatrava and Barangay Captain Benjamin Javoc of Brgy Lalong, Calatrava, who was killed on Aug. 26, 2022, the report said.
Joint troops of the 79IB, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6, 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, the 6th Special Action Battalion of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, and the Calatrava and Toboso police arrested the three, the report said.
Lt. Colonel J-jay Javines, 79IB commanding officer, attributed the success of the operation to the concerted efforts of the police, military and the residents who provided timely information about the rebels extortion and recruitment activities in Barangay Cambayobo and adjacent villages.
He called on the remnants of the defunct NNF to lay down their arms, live normal lives with their families, and avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
“We are more than willing to welcome you back into the mainstream society,” he said.
However, “for those who do not wish to surrender, we will relentlessly hunt you down until you will have no other option but to lay down your arms and surrender or die fighting for a futile cause,” Javines said.*