BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The elusive top rebel leader of Negros Island managed to escape again on February 19, after the police, assisted by Army intelligence operatives as well as soldiers, served the warrant of arrest on him in Sitio Montara, Brgy. Camang-camang, Isabela, Negros Occidental.
Romeo Nanta, alias Juanito Magbanua, who is reported by the military as head of the New People’s Army in Negros Island, was able to flee before the operating troops arrived, according to the Isabela police.
But his companion identified by the police Harlyn Balora, with aliases of Karyll and Cristel Historia, was arrested during the joint operations of the police, 303rd Infantry Brigade intelligence operatives and 94th Infantry Battalion.
Recovered from her possession, as reported by the Isabela Police Station, were 9mm Luger MOD TEC KG9 with a magazine containing nine ammunition, three 40mm ammunition for M203 grenade launcher, HEDP M433 explosives, fragmentation grenade, assorted personal belongings and subversive documents.
Balora is now under the custody of the Isabela Police Station.*
