The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Saturday announced the arrest of another top leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
This comes, as the rebel group and the government peace panel are preparing to start formal peace talks next week in Oslo, Norway.
In an initial report, police identified the arrested rebel leader as Amelia Pond alias Adelfa Toldeo, considered by authorities as a “high-value target” or a “most wanted person.”
The arresting team was led by Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba of the CIDG-Region 7.
Tayaba said, Pond was arrested at around 1:30 p.m. on August 19 in Barangay Luz, Cebu City “on the strength of a warrant of arrest for double murder and frustrated murder.”
PNP CIDG said, Pond is allegedly a member of the Executive Committee of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, Komisyon Mindanao of the NPA.
It further said, the suspect heads the rebel organization's Regional Instructors Bureau (RIB), Political Department and Underground Movement since 1978; 2nd Deputy Secretary and Komiteng Hukom of Davao Oriental Provincial Committee in 1988; Secretary of Guerilla Front 15 and 18, Sub-Regional Committee 1 and 2, SMRC 1990-1995 and Secretary of Guerilla Front 15, SMRC 1999-2002.
This coming Monday, August 22, government negotiators and the CPP/NPA/NDF will begin the formal peace talks in Oslo.