The military announced Wednesday achieving significant success against the extortion activities of the New People’s Army (NPA), killing three rebels, wounding four and arresting 13 more in various operations since January.

Brigadier General Francisco Cruz Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) commander, said troops from the 73rd Infantry Battalion wounded four NPA extortionists during a clash in Barangay Little Baguio, Malita, Davao del Sur last February 20 while an NPA leader identified only as “Ka Lito” was killed in another encounter in Barangay Maysuram, Caramoan, Catanduanes on February 19.

Cruz said another firefight killed two more NPA extortionists in Barangay San Pablo, Manapla, Negros Occidental last February 12.

Meanwhile, acting on information provided by residents, troops of the 1st Ranger Battalion arrested Vicente Mission, who was tipped off by his own neighbors in Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

Residents in the area who were victims to the harassment and extortion activities of the local Communist rebels tipped off Mission to the authorities. Cruz said Mission has also an existing warrant of arrest for robbery.

Another NPA extortionist captured by the military was Florencio Quiño, member of the NPA Komiteng Rehiyon Sentral Bisayas, who was nabbed in Dauin, Negros Oriental on February 5 after residents also complained of harassment.

Following his arrest, Quiño confessed of his group’s monthly collection of at least P40,000 from construction firms, sari-sari stores, and sugar planters around Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental.

Quiño is also wanted for multiple murders including a murder case in Bohol.

“The arrests of these NPA extortionists not only affirm the incessant antagonistic extortion activity of the NPA but of its worsening desperation as it put its hope of surviving through stealing and benefitting at the expense of other people’s hard work. The NPA who claims to champion the cause of the masses embezzles from the very people they claim to defend,” said Cruz.

In January, three NPA extortionists identified as Ruelito Soriano, Mariano Julongbayan and Nolan Ramos were netted by joint military and police elements conducting a Comelec checkpoint in Lumban, Laguna.

Seized from their possession were electrical blasting caps, IED, and cash worth P203,160 believed to be part of their collections.