The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continuously tracks down the remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas. And "by tracking them down", the AFP meant running after them even outside the region's periphery.
Romulo Micabalo, also known as Ned/Lukad, 35, the second top leader of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), was located and arrested in Barangay Pitogo, Consolacion, Cebu just last Monday, April 8.
Micabalo is the son of Dionisio Micabalo alias Muling, a ranking leader of the NCMRC who was killed in an encounter with government troops in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental back in July 26, 2023.
According to the AFP, Ned is a notorious leader of the Regional Operations Command (ROC) and head of the Regional Operations Division (ROD) of the EVRPC which was responsible for the numerous CTG atrocities in Eastern Visayas.
On top of this, he is also a former member of the Regional Sentro De Gravidad - Compaq, of the North Central Mindanao Regional Party Committee (NCMRC) operating in Northern Mindanao.
Mastermind In Various Atrocities
Sources revealed that Ned was suspected as the mastermind of the burning of Jipapad–Las Navas road construction equipment in Barangay Quirino and Barangay San Francisco, Las Navas, Northern Samar on July 29, 2021. The damage was estimated to be worth P32 million.
On the same date, Ned was also known to be behind the ambush and massacre of a soldier and three active members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit, leaving six others injured while doing construction works at Barangay 4, Jipapad, Eastern Samar.
On October 7, 2022, a 10-year old child was injured in the attack on the Community Support Program Team securing the construction of a school building at Barangay Dorillo, Jipapad, Eastern Samar.
According to civilians, his arrest is an assurance of their safety. The arrest of a mastermind of his caliber which took the lives of many is justice and peace of mind for the people of Eastern Visayas, specifically in Northern Samar.
“Magsilbi sanang inspirasyon sa inyo ang pagkakahuli sa inyong lider para tuluyan na kayong magbalik-loob sa gobyerno at umuwi sa inyong mga pamilya. Makakaasa kayong tutulungan namin kayo sa inyong pagbabagong buhay,” said Las Navas Mayor Arlito Tan as he encouraged remaining rebels to surrender.
“Hindi na kami papayag sa anumang panggugulo ng mga armadong grupo. Dahil dito sa Las Navas, kapayapaan ang tunay na kailangan.”
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #NPA #AFP #NCMRC