AN ALLEGED member of the New People's Army (NPA), responsible for extortion in areas of the North Central Mindanao was arrested on Wednesday, February 13 at barangay Nongnong, Butuan City.
Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Molina, Battalion Commander of 23rd Infantry Battalion identified the NPA as Emeliano Bustillo Legayna with aliases Bukas/Sedoy/Turko/Abba.
He was arrested through a search warrant for violation of R.A. 10591 or the Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. The warrant was implemented by combined elements of 23rd Infantry Battalion, 402nd Brigade and the members of the Butuan City Police Office.
Recovered from his possession was a cal.45 pistol and a hand grenade.
Aside from being an extortionist, Molina also identified Legayna as the leader of Milisyang Bayan in West Butuan.
Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commanding general Major General Felimon Santos congratulated the unit and reiterated the importance of a strong collaboration between the government and different stakeholders in the effort of ending insurgency.
"Let us start the whole of nation approach by continuously working, collaborating and converging our effort with our counterparts in the security sector in addressing the call of our communities who are tired of the NPA's extortion and intimidation," Santos said.
