Sketches of 2 NPAs in Batangas arson out

BATANGAS, Philippines – Police have released the computerized facial composites of two of the 14 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who torched eight buses of Jam Liner Inc. in its terminal in Lemery town last Sunday morning.

Senior Superintendent Omega Jireh Fidel, Batangas police director, said the drivers of the bus company gave “clear” descriptions of the two attackers, who did not wear any facial masks.

The male attacker was described as skinny, around 5’7” tall, bearded, and aged 38 to 40.

The other is a woman aged 30 to 40, around 5’3” tall, and of medium build. She is believed to have joined, too, the burning of construction equipment in Padre Garcia town last year, according to Chief Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian, regional police director.

Another female rebel also reportedly took part in the attack in Jam Liner’s terminal.  

Fidel said formal charges against the attackers will be filed today before the provincial prosecutor’s office. 

Citing intelligence information, Gatchalian said the attackers were indeed NPA guerrillas based in Batangas. 

Fidel said they have the names of the two insurgents with composite sketches, adding that the woman is known as political instructor and planner of the NPA group operating in Region 4.

Reports said Jam Liner received an extortion letter bearing the letterhead of the NPA’s Melito Glor Command sometime in October or November last year. 

Witnesses said the arsonists escaped onboard two vans and sped toward Calaca town, taking with them the security guards’ .38-caliber revolver and shotgun, a handheld radio, power supply for a desktop computer, and the cellular phone of one of the guards.  

Fidel said Lemery police head Chief Inspector Arthur Divino has been relieved from his post following the arson. – With Ed Amoroso