MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 25, 2012) – Philippine security forces captured Tuesday a senior leader of the communist rebel group New People’s Army in Negros Oriental province, officials said.
Officials said Filemon Mendrez, who has a P5 million bounty for on his head, was captured in an operation launched by security forces in the town called Manjuyod.
Mendrez is the deputy leader of the Central Visayas Revolutionary Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines and head of the NPA forces in the province.
Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr. , commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said the rebel leader is being interrogated.
There was no immediate statement from the NPA about the capture of Mendrez. The NPA is fighting for a separate Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
20