ZAMBOANGA CITY ? Authorities arrested in a law enforcement operation in Cagayan de Oro City a top-

ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) wanted for criminal offenses, military

officials said Friday.

Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, 603rd Infantry Brigade commander, identified the arrested top-ranking NPA

leader as Edward Flores.

Santos said Flores was arrested by joint military and police operatives who were implementing arrest warrants around 3 pm Thursday in Habitat Phase 2, Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City.

Recovered from Flores were a caliber .45 pistol, a fragmentation grenade, and a smart phone

believed to contain sensitive communication data.

Santos said that the group of Flores significantly weakened due to sustained military operations. DMS .