NPA leader falls in Negros Occidental

An alleged top leader of the communist New People's Army was arrested in Cadiz City in Negros Occidental Monday, police and military officials said.

The news site Visayan Daily Star on Tuesday reported that Romeo Nanta of Cadiz City was arrested based on warrants for rebellion, robbery-in-band, attempted and frustrated murder.

Nanta headed the Regional Operational Command, also known as the Apolinario Boy Gatmaitan Command, of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros. He also headed the NPA in central Negros, the report said.

It added that Nanta was a third-class Marine trainee before becoming an NPA rebel.

The Visayan Daily Star said the military and police linked Nanta to:

the bombing of Globe Telecom towers in Toboso and Cauayan

the raid of police and military detachments in Escalante and Toboso in 2006 and 2010

burning and bombing of two transloading stations in Toboso and Victorias Milling Company in Victorias City

the raid of a police station in La Libertad, Negros Oriental

ambush of civilians in Brgy. Salamanca, Toboso

the harassment of a detachment in Brgy. Villegas, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

Nanta was arrested by the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the Cadiz City police after several years of surveillance.

Nanta was transported to the San Carlos City Jail on Monday night.

In the report, Col. Oscar Lactao, who heads the Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade, said Nanta's arrest was a big blow to the rebel movement in Negros.

The Visayan Daily Star report cited military and police records showing Nanta was the third top official of the KR-Negros hierarchy, next only to priest-turned-rebel Frank Fernandez and his deputy Cleofe Lagtapon. - VVP, GMA News

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