This is a big blow to the CPP-NPA-NDF as Dizon is a top cadre of the organization being the secretary of their organizing department

A high-ranking leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) was arrested by combined police and military operatives in San Pedro City, Laguna on Tuesday night.

Antonia Setias Dizon, who uses the aliases Antonia Sietas-Dison and Tonet, 60, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest at her residence at B-2, L-12, Artemis St., Villa Olympia Village, Phase 6 in Barangay Rosario, San Pedro City.

Dizon was tagged as the secretary of the CPP-NPA’s National Organizing Department. She succeeded Rafael Baylosis and Adelberto Silva who were captured earlier.

Lt. Col. Reycon Garduque, San Pedro City Police Office chief, said that Dizon was arrested at about 11:50. p.m. on Tuesday by combined elements of the Laguna Provincial Police Office, 1st Laguna Provincial Mobile Force Company, San Pedro City Police Station, Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office 4A and the military’s Joint Task Force-National Capital Region.

Garduque said Dizon’s arrest was made by virtue of the warrant of arrest for murder issued by Acting Executive Judge Lou Nueva of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 7, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.

Likewise, police and military operatives implemented a search warrant inside Dizon’s residence for violation of Republic Act 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and RA 9516 or illegal possession of explosives issued by Santa Cruz, Laguna RTC Executive Judge Cynthia Mariño-Ricablanca.

Operatives were able to confiscate one caliber 380 Tanfoglio pistol loaded with seven live ammunition; 48 pieces of caliber 380 live ammunition; 10 pieces blasting caps; two blasting caps with wirings and other several incendiary devices; two cellular phones; two hard disk drives; a USB flash drive; a laptop; an CPP-NPA flag; a green cap with CPP logo and several subversive documents

The suspect is now under the custody of the San Pedro City Police Office for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command (SoLCom) chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay branded the arrest of Dizon as a huge blow to the CPP-NPA-National democratic Front (NDF) as he lauded the joint AFP-PNP forces for effecting the arrest.

“This is a big blow to the CPP-NPA-NDF as Dizon is a top cadre of the organization being the secretary of their organizing department. Previous secretaries of the organizing department who were also arrested for similar cases are Rafael Baylosis and Edilberto Silva,” Gapay said.

Gapay said the CPP-NPA-NDF is losing members, both at national and local levels.