Authorities arrested one of the most wanted officials of the New People’s Army in Calamba, Laguna on December 3. The military said the operation dealt a major blow to insurgent activities in the Bicol Region.
Rafael Salvacion, known by several aliases including Eddie Llanes, Ogie, Paeng, Ponyong, and Lolo OGs, was taken into custody through a joint operation involving the Philippine Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion, 16IB, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and the Philippine National Police. Officials said the arrest stemmed from information provided by a concerned citizen.
Salvacion is identified as the Secretary of Sub-regional Committee 1 and an Executive Committee Member of the Bicol Regional Party Committee. He is wanted for non-bailable charges such as robbery, arson, and violations under the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012. Troops also recovered a fragmentation grenade during the operation.
He is now under police custody while legal procedures move forward.
Maj. Gen. Aldwine Almase, commander of the 9th Infantry Division, said the arrest represents a significant setback for the CPP-NPA in Bicol. Almase added that security forces remain committed to locating other insurgent leaders who may attempt to evade authorities by relocating outside the region.
The military credited community cooperation as a key factor in the arrest.
