Top NPA leader in deadly attacks captured in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 25, 2010) – Philippine security forces captured a senior communist rebel leader tagged as behind deadly attacks in the restive southern region of Mindanao.

Security officials said Renelo Creita had been captured on May 22 in Davao del Norte’s Santo Tomas town. His arrest was made public only on Tuesday because of continued operations aimed at capturing other rebels.

The 41-year old rebel leader allegedly admitted leading New People’s Army attacks in Compostela Valley province that left dozens of people dead and wounded since last year.

Army Captain Emmanuel Garcia, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, said Creita was also behind the ambush of poll inspectors in Compostela Valley’s Maragusan town on May 11 that left five people dead and a dozen soldiers wounded.

“Creita is behind the spate of terror attacks against innocent people in Compostela Valley province. He is facing a string of criminal charges,” Garcia said.

He said Creita was arrested at a military road block and that soldiers recovered a .45-caliber pistol and a hand grenade from the rebel leader. Creita did not resist arrest, he said.

Garcia gave no other details about the arrest.

There was no immediate statement from the New People’s Army about Creita’s arrest. The rebels are fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)