PRESS RELEASE NR:   11-09                              
DATE RELEASED:       August 09, 2008

TOP NPA LEADER IN NEGROS CAPTURED IN CEBU     

Headquarters Central Command – The Armed Forces Central Command and the Cebu Provincial Police Office in its concerted effort has arrested a top leader of the New Peoples Army (NPA) in Central Visayas in barangay Casili, Consolacion, Cebu last February 05, 2009.

The top NPA leader was identified as Ramon Patriarca @ WILLY/AKING/DURO/ROBERT, Deputy Secretary of the armed group Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas (KRSB), finance officer, head, taxation bureau based in Negros Island.

Operating units from the PNP Cebu province and Centcom intercepted Patriarca while on board a motorcycle going to a house of a certain Inday in barangay Casili.

Patriarca’s arrest was based on the standing Warrant of Arrest issued by RTC Judge Edito Y. Enemecio for the case of Rebellion under criminal case no. 3332 of Branch 25, Danao City, Cebu.

MAJ GENERAL ARMANDO L CUNANAN AFP, the newly installed commander of Centcom lauded the efforts of the operating troops of the 78th Infantry Battalion and the Cebu Police Provincial Office for the successful arrest of Patriarca.

MGEN CUNANAN said the capture of the top NPA leader was part of the effort of Centcom’s campaign to clear Negros Island before the end of 2009 considering that the captured person has occupied a top position in the armed movement.

Recovered from Patriarca were two (2) hand grenades; one (1) Cal.45; one (1) cellular phone; documents containing financial records; personal belongings and a wallet containing cash amounting of P11,200.00.

As a brief background, Patriarca became a member of the Student Coalition which was active in radical activities at the University of San Carlos, Cebu City; Coalition Against Peoples Persecution (CAPP) headed by the late priest activist, Fr. Rudy Romano; Bayan Central Visayas participating in various anti-government rallies and street demonstrations.

In the year 1999 -2000, he was with the armed group operating in Bohol Island as Political Guide/Squad member. Most of his activities were devoted on conducting mass works in some affected areas of Region 7. He also participated in several terroristic activities against government forces in Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental.

Patriarca was born on March 17, 1964 to Mr. & Mrs. Primo Patriarca. He is a native of Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. He took up AB at UST, Manila for a period of 1 year and subsequently enrolled AB Philosophy at the University of San Carlos Main Campus, Cebu City further studied the Doctrine on Liberation Theology.

He is currently under the police custody of the Cebu Provincial Police Office for proper disposition. XXX