ILOILO CITY – A high-ranking member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was captured in Iloilo City over the weekend at the height of the Ilonggo community’s celebration of Chinese New Year.

Philippine Army Third Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson, 1Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas, disclosed that Cirila Estrada, alias Cora, was arrested by joint forces of the Army’s 301st Brigade and the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO).

Following tips and leads provided by civilian informants, Estrada was arrested at the corner of De Leon and Iznart streets in downtown Iloilo City.

“Estrada’s capture is a big blow to the operations of NPA’s southern and eastern fronts,” Posadas said.
He explained that aside from their numbers dwindling, the choice of some NPA leaders to disguise themselves as common civilians in urban cities is also a big factor.

“Their leaders, who are currently mingling with civilians in large urban centers, are running out of places to hide due to the vigilance of not only our soldiers and policemen, but of our fellow citizens,” Posadas said.

According to Posadas, Estrada is the secretary of the Kilusang Rehiyon-Panay Southern Front Committee of the NPA and is facing a string of criminal cases in southern Iloilo and the province of Antique.

Specifically, she is facing multiple murder and frustrated murder cases for crimes allegedly committed in Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, Hamtic, Belison, San Remigio, and Sibalom towns in Antique province dating back to April 1990.

Estrada is currently detained at the IPPO and is now awaiting trial.