[Inquirer] A ranking New People's Army leader in Caraga region was arrested in a joint military and police operation in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur. Military spokesman Rodulfo Cordero said Pablito Campos alias Batik or Ponsoy, the political officer of NPA Guerilla Front 21A, was nabbed at his hideout in Barangay El Rio on Friday.Cordero said Campos was with eight other militants but he was the only one captured during the surprise raid. The other rebels escaped.
Cordero said Campos was responsible for the killing of police officer Sharmaine Cañete, who was gunned down while manning a checkpoint in Sibagat on May 16 last year. He said Campos had eight pending warrants for crimes of rebellion, frustrated murder, murder, multiple attempted murder, kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Cordero said Campos was the fourth NPA militant arrested in Agusan del Sur since January.