Ranking NPA Leader Nabbed in Albay

LIGAO CITY (Nov. 11) - Elements of the Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) collared on Tuesday a ranking member of the communist movement in a remote village in this city, an Army official told the Philippines News Agency, Wednesday.

Army and PNP operatives arrested Miguel Pedrateja alias Mike, a native of this city, in his safehouse in barangay Nabunton, a remote village 10 kilometers from this city.

Army Capt. Razaliegh Bansawan, 901st Infantry Brigade spokesman, said the raiding team swooped down on the suspect while resting at his safe house in said village. The suspect did not resist arrest.

The raiding team seized from the suspect an M16, M653, Ingram and 22. cal. rifles and four hand grenades.

Bansawan said the information fed by villagers about the suspects' whereabouts led to the arrest of Pedrateja, who, according to military and police intelligence is among the ranking members of the New People's Army (NPA) operating in the province.

Reports said the suspect is a member of the NPA's sparrow unit under Edgardo Sevilla alias Palong, the head of a terrorist group operating in the second and third districts of the province.

The suspect is reportedly responsible for the series of extortion activities, intimidation and harassment of villagers and village officials in the areas.

Bansawan said the suspect is facing murder charges for the killing of Expedito Ribaya on December 12, 2007.

The suspect had been turned over to the PNP for custody while awaiting inquest proceedings by the Ligao City Prosecutors for the murder of Ribaya, a former Civil Security Officer of the provincial government during the term of Albay Governor Fernando Gonzales.

The victim, 60-year-old Ribaya, a native of this city, was president of the BAHAMAS Irrigators Association and former chief of the Albay provincial civil security unit.

The killing took place while the victim, on board his car, was on his way home after holding a meeting at the association's office in Barangay Nasisi, this city.

According to the police, at least four unidentified suspects were waiting for the victim to pass by on board his car at an irrigation road. When Ribaya arrived, he was fired upon with the use of a .45 caliber handgun.

Police recovered from the crime scene several empty shells and two empty magazines from a .45 caliber pistol.

The arrest of Pedrateja brings to a total of 10 NPA rebels nabbed by Army soldiers this month alone. Eight of the rebels were arrested in Sorsogon by Army Scout Rangers, one each in Albay and Catanduanes. (PNA)