Notorious communist NPA extortionist neutralized in Northern Samar

By DPAO, 8ID PA
June 21, 2020

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – A notorious Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) who is responsible in various extortion activities targeting the government infrastructure projects and business establishments in the pacific towns of Northern Samar and his aide were neutralized by the combined elements of 803rd Infantry Brigade's Team Peacemaker and Northern Samar Police Mobile Force Company while conducting an interagency law enforcement operation on June 20, 2020 at the vicinity of Brgy. Bagacay, Palapag, Northern Samar.

The fatalities were identified as Zaldy Meraya alias Podyot/Bato, Finance Officer of Squad 1, Front Committee (FC) 15, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Arctic and his aide Bebe Tobino alias Kidlat/Lawin, member of Squad 1, Sandatahang Unit Pampropaganda (SYP) Platoon, FC15, SRC Arctic.

A brief arm engagement ensued when the CNTs fired upon the government troops who were about to serve a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Decoroso M Turla dated May 11, 2020 with Criminal Case Number 5712 for multiple attempted murder.

The said law enforcement operation was launched as an offshoot to the encounter between 20IB and NPA at the vicinity of Sitio Cag-anibong of same barangay on June 14, 2020 where a combat tracking conducted by the pursuing troops led them towards the safe house of alias Podyot.

Seized from the encounter site were two (2) Cal.45 pistols, one (1) Acer laptop, twelve (12) assorted cellular phones, three (3) flashdrives (USB) and subversive documents.