A  SUSPECTED member of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the Bondoc Peninsula, Quezon province, was arrested by government troops when they stormed an alleged rebel resting place in a remote village in the town of San Francisco on Tuesday.

Col. Generoso Bolina, spokesman of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), quoting from the initial report of 201st Brigade chief, Col. Eduardo Año, said the military raid in the vicinity of Sitio Talisay, Bgy. Pagsangahan, San Francisco, resulted to the arrest of a certain “Ka Joy.”

Bolina said a “baby” M-16 assault rifle, a shotgun, and assorted personal belongings were also recovered by the elements of the 74th IB who engaged the 12-man NPA team in a 20-minute firefight.

The rest of the guerrillas managed to flee, Bolina said.

He added that the military took the initiative after two NPA members, Tirso ‘”Ka Edel” Rodrigo and Richard “Ka Michael” Peros, decided to surrender earlier that day to the 74th IB together with their weapons and without the knowledge of their comrades.

The two then led the soldiers to their encampment that resulted to the firefight, Bolina said.

The official said the suspect who is now undergoing tactical interrogation would be placed in the custody of the Quezon Police Office for the filing of appropriate charges in court.