4 rebels captured in Negros encounter

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Four suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas were arrested by the military following an encounter in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental the other day.

Jessie Abing, 26; Thomas Isugan, 19; Dandy Demerin, 18, and Ricardo Ricanillo, 37, all of Guihulngan City, were reportedly among the 20 rebels encountered by the soldiers in Sitio Hinobaan in Barangay Plagatasanon at about 12:50 p.m., according to Maj. Ray Tiongson, chief of the Public Affairs Division of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Tiongson said the troops were responding to reports about the presence of armed men in the village when the rebels reportedly opened fire at them, triggering a 15-minute firefight. He said the four admitted they were NPA rebels.

Recovered from the suspects were an M-14 rifle, two hand grenades, a medical kit, seven backpacks, food items and documents.

Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, commended his men for the arrest of the four.        – With Jaime Laude