Captured rebel leads Army to NPA’s hidden weapons in Quezon
Quezon province map. INQUIRER FILES
LUCENA CITY — An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA), who was captured last week, led government forces to a cache of firearms hidden by his comrades in Lopez, Quezon province.
Colonel Jeffrex Molina, chief of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2nd ID) Public Affairs Office, reported that “Queen” guided soldiers to the hidden weapons in Barangay Mal-ay on Sunday, April 6.
Government troops recovered an M16 rifle, two anti-personnel mines, four M16 magazines with 67 rounds of ammunition, 20 rounds of M14 ammunition, and assorted tools and equipment used in the production of improvised bombs.
Major General Cerilo Balaoro Jr., 2nd ID commander, attributed Queen’s arrest to the continuous counterinsurgency operations and intensified collaboration with local communities and former rebels.
“Their firearms, explosives, and war materiel are now being recovered one by one, preventing them from launching hostile actions against our people,” Balaoro said in a statement.
On March 27, Queen and a companion were captured by policemen in Lucena City.
Investigators said Queen had been tasked by the NPA to collect “permit-to-campaign” (PTC) fees from election candidates in Quezon province.
In previous elections, the rebels reportedly demanded not only cash but also food, rice, medicines, communication equipment, and even firearms from targeted candidates in exchange for allowing uninterrupted campaign activities within areas considered to be NPA strongholds.
Queen is listed as the most wanted criminal in the Calabarzon region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon).
He is facing six warrants of arrest for double homicide, attempted homicide, multiple counts of attempted murders, frustrated homicide, and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. INQ
READ: Army, NPA clash in Quezon; 2 rebel supporters captured
