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Most wanted Maoist militant nabbed in Mindanao
 [BenarNews] A top communist guerrilla leader wanted for a series of attacks in the southern Philippines has been arrested along with three others including a Christian bishop.Rommel Salinas, identified as the secretary general of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in Mindanao, was arrested by a joint police and military operation Thursday evening near the city of Ozamiz, about 750 miles of Manila. Also arrested were Bishop Carlo Morales of the local Iglesia Filipina Independiente, his wife and the driver of the van the group rode in. Authorities confiscated a hand grenade, mobile phones, battery packs, a city map and almost $2,000 from the four suspects. Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista said Salinas was the top-ranking commander of the communists' armed wing, the New People's Army, and was believed to be in charge of a range of terrorist activities in the region. Salinas was allegedly "involved in numerous high-profile crimes" and a local court had issued at least five warrants for his arrest. Bautista said Salinas "was the most wanted NPA commander" in western Mindanao. The arrest of Bishop Morales sparked outrage in his church, during which the clergy ordered its members to immediately travel to the regional police office to demand his freedom. The church also posted a photo of a handcuffed Bishop Morales on its social media page and said the four were not allowed to make phone calls to seek legal assistance. The arrests came a day after four NPA militants were killed in separate clashes with troops also in the south Wednesday, some two weeks after the gunmen attacked three rubber manufacturing facilities in the southern city of Davao, killing a civilian. Sultan Kudarat provincial police commander Raul Supiter said fighting broke out when NPA rebels attacked a Marine contingent patroling the area. A 30-minute firefight ensued, resulting in the death of two militants. Two other guerrillas were also killed in a clash in the city of Malaybalay. Posted by: ryuge 2017-05-14 |
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