Suspect in killing of Negros cops arrested

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Two suspected New People’s Army rebels, one of whom was linked to the alleged torture-slay of four police intelligence operatives on July 18, were arrested in separate operations in Negros Oriental led by government forces on Saturday.

The Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 7 and 94th Infantry Battalion, led by Maj. Epream Paguyod, collared two alleged NPA rebels in the same village where policemen Corporal Relebert Beronio and Patrolmen Raffy Callao, Ruel Cabellon and Marquino de Leon were killed by heavily armed communist rebels last July 18.

Alleged NPA member Jojo Torres Ogatis, 19, was apprehended at noon in Sitio Sook, Barangay Mabato, in Ayungon.

Ogatis, according to the police, was identified by a witness as one of the suspects in the summary execution of the four intelligence operatives of RMFB 7.

Police said the witness surfaced following President Duterte’s offer of a P5-million reward to anybody who may provide information that would lead to the arrest of NPA rebels responsible for the grisly killing of the policemen.

The same units on Saturday arrested Edmar Acibo Amaro in Sitio Yamot in the same village.

This came days after Duterte directed the armed forces to give members of the NPA what they deserve as he blamed the armed wing of the communists for the spate of killings in Negros Oriental. He claimed the communists “crossed the red line” when they killed people who do not agree with their beliefs.

The President has also threatened to do a “drastic move” to quell the violence in Negros Oriental but did not elaborate. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte may use emergency powers including the declaration of martial law in the Visayan province.

Panelo, however, clarified yesterday that the President’s directive only covers armed encounters where the rebels fight back. 

“That’s what the President said... during shootouts, not during the capture or arrest (of rebels)… He (Duterte) clarified that. He said it won’t be applied to those who were arrested,” Panelo said in a radio interview.

The administration tried to pursue a political settlement with the communists but the President terminated the talks after the rebels launched successive attacks against government forces.

“It’s part of the options. He can do a lot of things. We are talking about emergency powers here. It depends on the recommendation of people on the ground,” Panelo said when asked if declaring martial law in Negros Oriental is on the table. 

Seized from Amaro were .38-caliber revolver with three live ammunition, a rifle grenade, a set of black uniform with marking “PKP 50,” a pair of combat shoes, a poncho and a blue backpack containing personal belongings.

The suspects were brought to RMBF 7 field office in Mabina town for further investigation.

Police said around 30 to 40 armed men in Ayungon captured and killed the policemen who were on an undercover operation last July 18.

Autopsy reports said the victims suffered fractured ribs and hematoma. – With Alexis Romero, Emmanuel Tupas