Suspected NPA rebel falls in Negros Occ - Army

A suspected communist member fell into government hands Tuesday afternoon in the central Philippine province of Negros Occidental, the commanding general of the Philippine Army said Wednesday. Citing field reports, Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz identified the arrested suspect as Diro Pancho Sanchez alias Ariel, who is described as a member of the New People's Army's regional intelligence committee operating in the region. Ortiz said Sanchez has a standing warrant of arrest issued by Branch 59 of the 6th Judicial Region, Regional Trial Court in San Carlos City for alleged violation of Presidential Decree 1613 (Amending the Law on Arson). Sanchez was arrested by government security forces at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Escalante market. — RSJ, GMA News