Army-PNP join forces to arrest 

High ranking nat’l NPA officials 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Feb 8 (PIA)—The government, again which works on a double prong approach: its soft left arm urging rebels to peacefully come in peace and the right hand pressuring the rebels to give up the fight, scored a huge win February 8, 2020 when they caught up with two high ranking officials of the communist terrorists group (CTG). 

Responding to the President’s directive to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) to finally blanket the land in peace, a joint task force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) as created by the Executive Order No. 20, sneaked upon homing two high ranking National Finance Commission of the CTGs officials. 

High Ranking New People’s Army (NPA) couple Rey Camacho alias Jeboy / Teddy / Chad /Val and his wife Carmelita Camacho alias Maureen / Inday were former NPA regional cadres in Central Visayas and were believed to have been involved in extortion, forced taxation and recruitment of minors, while they were in the regional command. 

Camacho, who used the alias Jeboy was the former Regional Operations Committee Commander of Komite Rehiyonal- Central Visayas (KR-CENVIS) before getting elevated to the NPA's National Operations Command Staff. 

His wife “Maureen” was also KR-CENVIS Regional Finance Staff before becoming the Head of the National Commission Special Operations Group (SOG) for the Visayas, before becoming the National Finance Commission staff. 

The Joint Forces, in a report said that at 5:30 am of February 8, armed by a search warrant, executed the same in the house of two identified Communist Terrorist Group officials at Tulang, Getafe. 

Another warrant of arrest was also to be served for murder in case number 20652 was issued by Regional Trial Court of Bohol, 7th Judicial Region Branch 47, Tagbilaran City Bohol to Rey Camacho. 

According to reports from the 47 Infantry Batallion, incidental to the lawful search and the arrest of the CTG personalities, it was confirmed that Jeboy rose from the ranks and performed as the Secretary of KR-CENVIS Regional Command; got elevated to be commander of the CENVIS Regional Operations Command; KR-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor Regional Finance Tax Implementing Group; before becoming Staff of the NOC, and a staff of the National Finance Commission Staff to date. 

In an interview following the arrest, Jeboy admitted to being a part of the CTG core group involved in the negotiation and in facilitating the procurement and distribution of the over 1, 000 AK47. 

The simultaneous execution of the warrants led to the recovery of two laptop computers, three pistols (two .38 caliber and a .45 caliber pistol), two hand grenades, one hard case of various explosives, detonating cords and blasting caps, fifteen cellular phones, several flash drives, subversive propaganda documents, sacks of butane and other camping paraphernalia. 

On the arrest of the couple, 47 IB Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Allan J. Tabudlo said, "We are materializing the mandate of this whole of the nation approach to eradicate these insurgents and likewise, we are urging the public to continue your support in sustaining peace and order in the province. 

Even as the army officials continue to call upon members of the CTGs to seek the way of peace with the government, he also stressed that the arrest of Camacho and his wife was a result of the merging efforts of the security forces and the locals who reported the latter's whereabouts. 

Together, we will accomplish our mission in ending this local communist armed conflict in Bohol, he reminded everyone. (rahchiu/PIABohol/with reports from 1Lt Grace Remonde) 

WHEN THE LAW CATCHES UP. Regional cadres Rey and Maureen Camacho got arrested by virtue of an arrest and search warrant for Rey for murder and on Maureen for illegal possession of firearms. Both are now in police custody. (47th IB)