Manila, Aug. 2 -- A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said the recent arrest of a New People's Army (NPA) operative along with a Fil-American citizen in Calamba, Laguna raises "legitimate immigration and national security concerns."

NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. was referring to the joint police and military law enforcement operation that led to the arrest of NPA member Binay Serrano, alias "Samay", and American citizen Cristina Pasion last July 30.

"The presence of Ms. Pasion alongside a wanted NPA personality, together with reports of her previous association with armed encounters in Mindoro, raises legitimate immigration and national security...