CATIGBIAN. – Mayor Roberto Bert Salinas of this hinterland town has confirmed the arrest of a suspected NPA leader identified as one Ruben Nabas, whose aliases are “Elmer”, “Padi” and “Rex”. Said to be a member of the dreaded Special Partisan Unit or SPARU of the NPA, the rebel suspect was collared along with his companion identified as Cristituto Lastomen a.k.a. “Onyot.” Both were arrested in barangay Alegria of this town. It was reported that the duo’s arrest took place Tuesday of last week based on the report of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.  But Mayor Salinas in an interview yesterday said that he’s still waiting for the official report. Asked if his police force was involved in the capture of the two, he answered in the affirmative. He said the alleged rebels might have some activities to do why they’re here in Bohol, saying “we don’t know.”

Seized from the pair included a .45 caliber pistol; a 9mm pistol and a hefty amount of cash, alleged subversive documents, said the report. Both were charged with illegal possession of firearms. Nabas is believed to be instrumental in the toppling or bombing of transmission lines of the National Power Grid Corp in barangay Sta. Catalina, Sagbayan town in 2011 and in barangay Sto., San Miguel town in 2012. A warrant of his arrest has been filed with the Regional Trial Courtr branch 63 in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental for rebellion, said the report. He is said to be the vice-chairman of the NPA operating n Negros Oriental. Blame is also put on Nabas for allegedly killing P/Insp Pelecio Domino, police chief of Talibon town, and that he could also be liable for the attack of police camps in 1999, it said. Efforts to contact police Provincial Director Col. Constantino Paul Barot, Jr. yielded negative results.