Quezon City (12 October) -- A HIGH-ranking official of the New People's Army (NPA) in Central Luzon has been arrested and has expressed his intention to turn state witness, a police official said.

Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan, Central Luzon regional director, presented to media Leopoldo Caluza, commander of the region's NPA Operational Command.

Rafanan said Caluza, 49, was arrested after two months of surveillance at an apartment in Green Valley, Baguio City.

During the presentation, Caluza tearfully told reporters that he was ready to return to the fold of the law but had no idea whom to ask for help.

"..yung sigurado na tutulong talaga sa amin, multo sa amin yung mga dinanas naming pagtotorture […those who will really help us, we are haunted by memories of being tortured]," said Caluza.

Caluza became a member of the NPA, an armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, in 1982.

Caluza said he was a simple farmer with simple dreams before he joined the movement, claiming he had "no choice" but to join the NPA.

Prior to his arrest, Caluza was also head of the Provincial Military Department/Provincial Operational Command of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Committee and Kilusang Larangang Guerilya/Front 1 Secretary.

At total of eight warrants of arrest had been issued against Caluza --three for murder, rebellion, destructive arson, direct assault with murder, robbery in band with multiple homicide, and robbery with homicide, said Rafanan.