LEGAZPI CITY -- Authorities arrested on Wednesday Bicol’s most wanted person and ranking communist rebel in Albay inside a cockpit arena in Sta Maria town in Bulacan, a police official said yesterday.

        Arrested was Iglecerio Pernia alias “Ka Choy” Secretary, Albay Prrovincial Party Committee of the New People’sd Army (NPA) and a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP-NPA) Executive Committee in Bicol.

        Senior Supt. Eliciar Bron, Bicol PNP spokesman said the arrest of Pernia, Bicols most wanted person came after the combine operatives of Sta. Maria municipal station, Bulacan provincial intelligence office and PNP regional intelligence division, Military Intelloigence Group 3 and ISAFP sighted Pernia inside the town cockpit arena and subsequently arrested the suspect.

        The suspect did not resist the apprehending authorities led by Senior Supt. Allen Bantolo, officer-in-charge of the Bulacan Provincial Police Office.

        According to the MIG/ISAFP the suspect had been under intense surveillance and his arrest was a result of tip off by a military asset in Bulacan.

        Army Col. Leoncio Serunay, commader of the Army’s 65th battalion said the suspect amassed some P50 million in extortion money from political candidates during last years national and local election in Albay.

        Serunay said the suspect sought refuge in Bulacan province after government forces intensified their military offensive in Bicol particularly in Albay.

        According to military intelligence Pernia after amassing millions in extortion money has live a life in luxury and spent big amount of money in gambling and other vices.

        Pernia, a native of Ligao City was arrested on the strength of a Warrant of Arrest issued by local courts in the cities of Ligazpi and Ligao.

        The ranking NPA leader carries a P1.5 million bounty for his capture and he is facing a string of criminal cases ranging from murder, frustrated murder, highway robbery, and arson in various courts in Albay.

        Authorities brought the suspect to the ISAFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo , in Quezon City for investigation after which he will be brought to this city to face the criminal charges filed against him.

        Authorities said Pernia was reportedly the mastermind in the number of salvaging of known government and communist leaders in Bicol notably the killing of lawyer/doctor Ricardo Nepomuceno, leader of the Kilusan Kontra Kumunista (KKK) in Oas town last 2003, farmer leader Expedito Ribaya the former security officer of former albay gov. Fernando Gonzales on November last year.

        Military and police intelligence report also said that the suspect was also the mastermind in the assassination of Sotero Llamas alias “Ka Nognog” former Secretary General of the CPP/NPA Bicol Region Party Committee in 2005.

        According to the report Pernia and Llamas were having a leadership struggle within the BRPC that cause Pernia to alleged order his hitmen to kill Llamas, without the sanction of the CPP central committee.

        Sirunay said the capture of Pernia would be a big blow for the communist movement in Bicol who has 198 armed regulars operating in Albay.