'NPA officer's arrest
a blow to movement'
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The arrest of an elusive leader of the New People's Army with a bounty of P800,000 over his head yesterday is a blow to the rebel movement in Negros, Col. Gregorio Fajardo, 303rd Infantry Brigade Commander, said.

Raul Villar, alias Ka Drilon, and his security escort, Francisco Mahilum, alias Ka Jong Jong were captured by 61st Infantry Brigade soldiers in Siaton, Oriental Negros, 9 a.m. yesterday, Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st Infantry Battalion, said.

Villar was among the top 30 wanted man in the country. A platoon leader of the NPA Larangan Gerilya 5 operating in the hinterland areas of southern Negros, Villar has a pending arrest warrant for robbery with multiple homicide, in connection with the payroll robbery and killing of five municipal employees of Santa Catalina, Oriental Negros, in 2001 (related story in Oriental page).

Mayor holds stand
on bid for city STL
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said yesterday he will wait for the final position of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on the operation of small time lottery in Bacolod City before he takes his official stand.

He said he has to hear the side of the SP first so that they can handle the issue, without consideration for what the position of the Mayor is.

The SP deferred for further study and public hearings Thursday a resolution passed by the Liga ng mga Barangay urging the City of Bacolod to allow the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to operate in its 61 barangays.

Carmona, Ledesma bound
by gentleman's pact?
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Will a gentlemen's agreement settle the dispute on who will run for congressman under the Nationalist People's Coalition-United Negros Alliance in the first district of Negros Occidental?

Former Rep. Julio Ledesma IV, sources said, plans to run for congressman of the first district, but incumbent Rep. Tranquilino Carmona says he's seeking re-election.

Ledesma has stated that he is secretary general of the United Negros Alliance and chairman of UNA and NPC in the first district, and that a gentleman's agreement had been reached between him and Carmona that the latter would only be congressman for one term, a source said.