NPA leader wounded in shootout

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – An alleged leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was seriously wounded in a shootout with police officers out to arrest him in Sablan, Benguet, police reported yesterday.

Gilbeys Busal, alias “Kumander Sayaff,” has been under observation at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, where he was taken after the incident that occurred in Barangay Pappay on Sunday.

Busal’s arrest stemmed from a warrant issued by the courts of Kalinga and Ifugao provinces for murder and rape, respectively. No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

The suspect was also tagged in the ambush-slay of two soldiers in Asipulo, Ifugao last year, according to Superintendent Jimmy Catanes, chief of North Central Luzon criminal investigation and detection group.