Military arrests top NPA leader in Biliran

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 8, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Communist Terrorist Leader Nicholas Ybanez y Payod alias Botoy or Junior was arrested on September 30, 2007 at a communist safehouse in Sitio Kadama, Barangay Lucso-on, Naval, Biliran.

The arrest was made by the elements of the 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion led by Lt. Col Henry L. Bumiltac, PA, newly installed Commanding Officer, in joint effort with 82nd Military Intelligence Company, 8th Military Intelligence Battalion.

Arrested Communist Terrorist Leader (CTL) Nicholas Ybanez Y. Payod who is a native of Barangay Biliboy, Ormoc City, is the Secretary of Education Department -Party Branch EXECOM, NLF, EVRPC and the current Team Leader of Biliran Island White Area Group (BIWAG) of the underground Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, Communist Party of the Philippines.

The said safe house was used as haven for visiting CT’s coming from the different provinces of the region for planning purposes before the conduct of their illegal and violent activities in Leyte and Biliran.

Ybanez was arrested on the strength of Warrants of Arrest with criminal case no. R-ORM-07-00066-HC issued by Judge Apolinario M Buaya of RTC Branch 12 of Ormoc City, First Lieutenant Dennis Almorato, the Public Information Officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion informed.

At the time of the arrest, Botoy was in the company of Eddie Monticalvo, the safehouse owner, together with Gerald Monticalvo, Communist Terrorist courier and resident of Sitio Cabato-an, Bgy Casiongan, Calubian, Leyte.

Confiscated from the arrested CT were three (3) .38 Cal Pistol with twelve (12) of live ammunitions, two (2) Hand Grenades and pages of Yellow Pad Paper with hand written notes regarding the activities/assessment of Communist Terrorists in the area.

The arrest is a strong manifestation of the unit’s tenacity to dismantle the North Leyte Front by the end of this year.

Lieutenant Colonel Bumiltac said that this is in line with the military’s thrust to get Botoy the soonest possible time because he has done more than enough havoc to the economy and the lives of the people of Leyte and Biliran.

It is about time for him to be stopped and be made to repay for the violent and terroristic deed he has done to the peace-loving people.

More ranking NLF cadres are expected to fall especially with the support the military is getting from the people who are now disgusted over the terror that the Communist Terrorists have been sowing for the past 39 years, both in the cities and the countrysides.

Communist Terrorist Leader Botoy is the first top ranking Communist Terrorist leader neutralized during the incumbency of Lt. Col. Bumiltac as the new commanding officer of the unit.