Alleged CPP acting chair arrested in Quezon City — NSC

The alleged acting chairperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines was arrested in Fairview, Quezon City on Thursday for kidnapping and murder, according to the National Security Council (NSC) on Friday.

In a statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año identified the arrested person as Wigberto "Baylon" Villarico.

"We commend the AFP, the PNP, and the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) for the successful operation that resulted in the arrest of Wigberto Villarico alias 'Baylon,' the Acting Chairman of the CPP," Año said.

"This operation is a major step in our ongoing efforts to dismantle the leadership of the communist terrorist group and bring lasting peace to our country," he added.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), in a separate statement, said authorities implemented a warrant of arrest against Villarico.

"The case was originally filed at Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in Quezon but was transferred to Taguig City RTC Branch 266, which certified the validity of the issued warrant of arrest," the NCRPO said.

A 35-year-old woman was also apprehended in the same operation "for providing false identification of the accused and obstruction of justice," it added.

The NCRPO said that, "According to reports, Villarico, known by multiple aliases, is among the suspects in the kidnapping and murder of two victims back in 2007 in Brgy. Cagsiay, Quezon."

Police said Villarico was the secretary of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee operating in Calabarzon and Mimaropa. He was also an alleged member of the CPP's Political Bureau (Politburo), the police added.

Peace consultant

In a statement, the CPP demanded the immediate release of Villarico, who was identified as a peace consultant of the National Democratic Front or the Philippines (NDFP), the political wing of the communist organization.

"The Party demands that Villarico's rights be respected and that he be immediately released. All trumped up charges against him must be immediately withdrawn. We demand that he be accorded his right to his own lawyer, and to a doctor of his choice," the CPP said, adding that the 68-year-old Villarico was already suffering from a number of ailments that need medical support.

The CPP said that in his role as NDFP consultant for peace negotiations, Villarico has been a voice in clamoring for the welfare of workers, peasants, students, and other sectors in Southern Tagalog.

"Being a peace consultant of the NDFP, Villarico is protected by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). He holds documents identifying him as such. Under the JASIG, the Philippine government agreed not to subject consultants, personnel, and staff members of the NDFP to surveillance and arrest," the CPP said.

It also called for the release of the 35-year-old woman who was arrested with Villarico.

'Last Communist leader'

According to Año, Villarico assumed the CPP leadership after the death of Benito Tiamzon on Aug. 22, 2022.

“Villarico was the last Communist leader at large capable of commanding both the party and its armed wing, the New People's Army. Villarico's capture closes the chapter on a terrorist fugitive responsible for numerous atrocities against the people," Año said.

For his part, NCRPO chief Police Major General Sidney Hernia said, "We are intensifying our efforts against criminal activities in the region.”

"Our recent operations reflect our unwavering resolve to uphold the law and ensure accountability. We encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Together, we can foster a safer community for everyone," he added.

Aside from Villarico, the CPP also called for the release of two other peace consultants who were arrested in recent weeks: Porferio Tuna in Tagum City, Davao del Norte; and Simeon Naogsan or Ka Filiw of the Cordillera People's Democratic Front in Ilocos Norte.

"Without a doubt, the successive arrests of NDFP peace consultants were carried out with the aim of derailing efforts to revive the NDFP-GRP peace negotiations, at a time that both sides are working hard to forge ahead, based on the Oslo Joint Declaration of November 2023. Clearly, some elements within the Marcos regime do not want these efforts to succeed," the CPP said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News