3 alleged rebels caught after killing informant

Three alleged members of the New People’s Army’s splinter group, the Revolutionary Proletariat Army/Alex Bongcayao Brigade, were arrested by policemen of the Tanjay City police and Pamplona police station after killing an informant in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, last January 31 in the morning.In the report submitted by Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office director Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe to the Police Regional Office-7 the victim was identified as Marcenito Quibot Silorio, 47, of sitio Calicoan, barangay Balayong in Pamplona.

It was not clear whether he was an informant of the military or the police, but police said it has been the practice of insurgents to execute personalities suspected of supporting the government or those who are giving information against them.

Police identified the suspects as Nicasio Gornez alias “Ka Rambo”, a resident of sitio Candaqui, barangay Azagra, Tanjay City; Lucio Velos Torres, “alias Ka Benjie” and Isagani Bajamonde alias “Ka Gani”, both residents of barangay Balayong, Pamplona.

The report said the victim was walking to his nephew’s house when the suspects shot him several times with pistols, killing him instantly.

Residents who heard the gunshots immediately called the nearby army detachment of the 12th Infantry Battalion in barangay Inayawan but the suspect already fled.

Police recovered four empty .45 cal. shells from the crime scene.

Personnel of the Tanjay City police station and Pamplona police station arrested the three suspects in the house of the Gornez in Tanjay City later that same day.  One .45 cal. pistol with magazine was seized from Gornez.

The police have filed charges for murder and illegal possession of firearms against the three.  -Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP