Reds’ Panay finance staff arrested

Extortion activities blamed on the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army in Roxas, Capiz, have been disrupted, says the military.

This was the conclusion of authorities after Lenilyn Jaynos alias Sandra, the CPP-NPA's Regional Finance Staff of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay, was arrested on 3 September in integrated military-police operations conducted by personnel from the Philippine Army, along with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Search warrants had been issued against Jaynos, 45, and two others, Cirila Estrada alias Sheila Gonzales/Cora, and Marivie Arguelles.

Only Jaynos was arrested when she was spotted in the area.

Found in her possession were one unit caliber .45 Caspian; one unit Caliber .45 colt; two pieces of magazine assembly for Caliber .45; 82 rounds of live ammunition for caliber; one unit MK2 Grenade Hand Fragmentation; one unit PRB 423 Grenade Hand Fragmentation; and grenade; identification cards; as well as a flag and tarpaulin of the Gabriela party list.

Third Infantry Division commander MGen Benedict Arevalo said the effective convergence of government security forces contributed to the Jaynos' arrest.

"The arrest of one of the NPA's Regional Finance Staff in Panay will disrupt the terrorist group extortion scheme on the island," Arevalo said.

"We are positive that the other remaining members of the CPP-NPA-NDF working in the urban areas will also be arrested in time," he added.