NPA leader with P5.8 M bounty arrested

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – A ranking New People's Army leader of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) with P5.8 million bounty was arrested Tuesday at Landheights Subdivision, Barangay Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City around 9:45 a.m. of August 5.

Cordillera police director Chief Supt. Isagani Nerez identified the arrested NPA leader as Eduardo Almores Esteban alias Bonnie/ Benny/Pilo, 60, Secretary of Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC), who was listed as most wanted man second quarter of 2014 in the region.

Esteban was nabbed for murder through joint operations of the Police Regional Office Cordillera, personnel of the Military Intelligence Group (MIG1), ISAFP, Regional Intelligence Unit 6 and 14 (RIU-6 & RIU-14) by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest issued by Judge Corpuz B.Alzate of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 2, in Bangued, Abra.

Nerez said Esteban also has warrants of arrest for frustrated murder; rebellion and two counts of murder which were all issued by the RTC, Branch 23, of Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

Esteban is now under the custody of regional police office here  for turnover to concerned courts.