Five alleged members of CPP-NPA arrested in Tacloban

Photo from Eugenio Daza (Facebook) and Google

Five alleged members of left-leaning groups were arrested on Friday in two separate operations in Tacloban City, Leyte.

According to a report by CNN Philippines, it was dawn of February 7 when police and military conducted a raid in Calanipawan Road where Frenchie Cumpio a.k.a “Pen,” allegedly the secretary of the Regional White Area Committee (RWAC-EVRPC) and Marielle Domequil a.k.a “Maye," also an alleged member of RWAC-EVRPC and finance officer of Rural Missionaries of the Philippines-Eastern Visayas.

Reports said that Cumpio is also an anchor of a radio program called Lingganay han Kamatuuran.

Meanwhile, Mira Legion of Bayan-Eastern Visayas, Marissa Cabaljo of People Surge Network and Alexander Abinguna of Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas were also captured in a separate search in Barangay 77.

The Army said that the raids they conducted were in response to the search warrant issued by Executive Judge Eligio Petilla of Regional Trial Court Branch 44.

Also, the Army's 8th Infantry Division said they recovered pistols, live ammunition, two grenades and a red flag with the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army symbol.

The arrested individuals were arrested in violation of Republic Act 10591 or the "Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act”.

Some organizations, on the other hand, denounced the arrest of Legion and Domequil, who were both graduates of the University of the Philippines Visayas.

The University of the Philippines College of Development Communication Student Council called the arrest of the two an "illegal" and a "cowardly act."

Gabriela Youth also condemned the arrest of Legion and Domequil as they called for their release.

However, the Army maintained that the arrests were lawful as they were found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

"Incidental to the lawful search, the government security forces arrested the [Communist Terrorist Group] personalities who were found to have an actual and/or constructive control and possession of illegal firearms, ammunition and other contraband items inside the searched houses," the Army said.