Alleged NPA finance officer arrested in Surigao del Sur

A woman allegedly serving as a finance officer for the New People's Army (NPA) was arrested by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Surigao del Sur.

In a statement issued by the Philippine Army on Saturday, it said that joint forces of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBN) and the 1st Police Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office caught a certain Sarvina Rivas Quijano, alias "Soping" at a checkpoint while onboard a multi-cab with plate number YCZ 583.

Authorities at the checkpoint supposedly noticed the rifle grenades in plain view inside the vehicle, prompting them to make a search.

Upon searching, they found two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), blasting cap with detonating cord, three rifle grenades, five analog cellular phones, one laptop computer, subversive documents, numerous SIM cards, external drive and a memory card allegedly owned by the suspect, the military said.

The Army said Quijano was identified by a former rebel as the finance staff of the NPA's Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

The suspect is also allegedly the party wife of Marcelino Tampos Navarro, alias "Marsing," the NEMRC’s deputy secretary and head of education and propaganda, who was killed in an encounter with government forces at Sitio Panukmoan, Diatagon, Lianga last July 7, 2020.

Quijano is currently in the custody of the 1st PFMC for documentation and filing of appropriate criminal charges. —Jamil Santos/KG, GMA News