PRO8 nabs NPA hitman in Eastern Samar

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
November 22, 2012

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) alerted all its line units against possible atrocities that may be launched by the communist New People’s Army as a leader of its death squad was arrested by the police in Eastern Samar recently.

Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria said the entire police force has been alerted following the arrest of Clodualdo Anua y Calzado alias Melvin/Kidlat/Rico, a leader of the Special Partisan Armed Unit (SPARU) of the NPA in Llorente, Eastern Samar.

“I reminded our policemen to be alert and vigilant as they (NPAs) might conduct atrocities in relation to said accomplishment,” Soria said, further reminding his men on the recent rebel atrocities in the region.

The regional police chief added that he directed his men to initiate pro-active measures through target hardening and enhance personnel security to preempt any violent actions by the rebels.

Reports reaching the PRO8 states that at around 9:50 o’clock in the evening of November 17, Llorente Police Station received an information that 5 armed men believed to be members of the SPARU hit squad of the NPA were sighted heading towards Sitio Parik, Barangay 01, Llorente, Eastern Samar and planning to conduct liquidation targeting PNP/AFP personnel passing in the area.

Acting on the report, policemen from Llorente Police Station led by Police Senior Inspector Gilberto B. Colima, immediately proceeded to the area to verify and upon reaching, the armed men suddenly fired their short firearms towards the responding police elements. A short firefight ensued before the enemy scampered into different directions. There was no casualty on the government forces.

Pursuit operations conducted by the police resulted to the arrest of its leader, who was later identified as Anua and the confiscation from his possession a .45 caliber pistol marked MIV COLT bearing serial number 713363 loaded with 4 live ammunitions while his companions managed to escape.

The arrested person is now under the custody of Llorente Police Station while appropriate criminal charges is now being prepared for filing in court against him, Soria added.