Gen. Bernard Banac, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman, said the warrant for Salas’ arrest was issued by Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 32 in Manila. Salas, along with at least 30 other communist leaders and NPA rebels, have been charged in court with 29 counts of murder in connection with the Inopacan massacre in Leyte in the 1980s. Banac said Salas did not resist and peacefully surrendered to police who served him the arrest warrant, with barangay officials as witnesses. Lawmen then searched his house, finding a .45-caliber pistol, a magazine for the pistol and at least 174 rounds of ammunition. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, Central Luzon police director, said former NPA rebels were the ones who tipped off Salas’ whereabouts to authorities.

Source: Philippine Star February 18, 2020 16:41 UTC