ANGELES CITY- The Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) said yesterday that combined police and military personnel have captured the so-called “icon of the rebel movement” and third highest ranking leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Central Luzon.
In a statement, Nolcom said combined Intelligence elements of 703 Infantry or the Agila Brigade and the Philippine National Police arrested Danila Jose Castaneda, alias Baste, in Barangay Anupul in Capas, Tarlac last Oct. 9.
“He is one of the topmost ranking executive committee member of Central Luzon Regional Committee (CLRC) of the CPP-NPA. He is also facing several warrants of arrest on murder cases,” Nolcom said.
Nolcom said that Castaneda has been using multiple names, including Delfin de Guzman or Efren Montana Dela Lamon, adding he a top member of the executive committee of the CLRC and at the same time secretary of Sangay sa Partido sa Platoon Bulacan (SPP Bulacan).
As the third highest ranking officer of the CPP-NPA in Central Luzon, Castaneda is a member of the rebel movement’s regional committee and supervises the SPP in Pampanga, Bataan and Southern Zambales.
“He is an icon of the underground movement and his arrest will bring more demoralization on the already dwindling rank and file of the CPP-NPA in Central Luzon,” said Diesen.
Castadeda was cornered by law enforcers following a tip from concerned civilians.
“He had been using different safe houses and private vehicles which made it hard for intelligence agents to follow his movements,” said Capt. Emmanuel Diasen, spokesperson of the Army 703rd infantry brigade under the Nolcom.
He noted, however, that Castaneda’s elusiveness came to an end when he made a visit to his live-in partner at Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac where intelligence agents had been monitoring operations for months. Recovered from his possession was one fragmentation grenade, one blue belt bag and his personal belongings.
Colonel Jose Z. Mabanta Jr, Commander of the 703 IB commended all the troops involved in the successful arrest. He also lauded the growing awareness of the civilian communities which, he noted, have been providing the military with information on rebel movements.
“Castaneda has been elusive for so many years but the long arms of the law finally caught up with him. We are very much optimistic that we can render this group insignificant by yearend of 2010,” Mabanta said.
The same troops under Mabanta are instrumental in the arrest of Jose Jackson Labrador Carmen alias Roman, secretary of SPP Pampanga last March.
In a statement, Nolcom said combined Intelligence elements of 703 Infantry or the Agila Brigade and the Philippine National Police arrested Danila Jose Castaneda, alias Baste, in Barangay Anupul in Capas, Tarlac last Oct. 9.
“He is one of the topmost ranking executive committee member of Central Luzon Regional Committee (CLRC) of the CPP-NPA. He is also facing several warrants of arrest on murder cases,” Nolcom said.
Nolcom said that Castaneda has been using multiple names, including Delfin de Guzman or Efren Montana Dela Lamon, adding he a top member of the executive committee of the CLRC and at the same time secretary of Sangay sa Partido sa Platoon Bulacan (SPP Bulacan).
As the third highest ranking officer of the CPP-NPA in Central Luzon, Castaneda is a member of the rebel movement’s regional committee and supervises the SPP in Pampanga, Bataan and Southern Zambales.
“He is an icon of the underground movement and his arrest will bring more demoralization on the already dwindling rank and file of the CPP-NPA in Central Luzon,” said Diesen.
Castadeda was cornered by law enforcers following a tip from concerned civilians.
“He had been using different safe houses and private vehicles which made it hard for intelligence agents to follow his movements,” said Capt. Emmanuel Diasen, spokesperson of the Army 703rd infantry brigade under the Nolcom.
He noted, however, that Castaneda’s elusiveness came to an end when he made a visit to his live-in partner at Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac where intelligence agents had been monitoring operations for months. Recovered from his possession was one fragmentation grenade, one blue belt bag and his personal belongings.
Colonel Jose Z. Mabanta Jr, Commander of the 703 IB commended all the troops involved in the successful arrest. He also lauded the growing awareness of the civilian communities which, he noted, have been providing the military with information on rebel movements.
“Castaneda has been elusive for so many years but the long arms of the law finally caught up with him. We are very much optimistic that we can render this group insignificant by yearend of 2010,” Mabanta said.
The same troops under Mabanta are instrumental in the arrest of Jose Jackson Labrador Carmen alias Roman, secretary of SPP Pampanga last March.
