Mindoro court convicts 2 ‘rebels’ for illegal gun possession

MANILA, Philippines — Two alleged New People’s Army guerrillas have been convicted of illegal possession of firearms and explosives by a local court in Oriental Mindoro.

In separate orders issued recently, the Roxas Regional Trial Court Branch 43 found Arnulfo Aumentado, alias Aro/Inod, and Mary Joyce Lizada, alias Louise, guilty of unauthorized issuance of authority to carry firearms and/or ammunition outside of residence, as well as illegal transfer or registration of firearms.

The accused were sentenced to one year in prison for each offense, with their detention period to be fully credited if they abide by and follow the rules of the facility where they are detained.

Aumentado and Lizada were arrested in April 2023 in Barangay Santa Teresita in Mansalay town.

Court records showed the raiding team seized from the accused a rifle, machine gun, an improvised hand grenade and two blasting caps.

Both initially pleaded not guilty to charges of violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Later, the two entered into a plea bargain on the advice of their counsel.

In a statement issued in 2023, the indigenous peoples movement for self-determination and liberation said Aumentado and Lizada were organizers of IP communities in Southern Tagalog.

The group said that days after the two went missing, they were presented by the military in a public conference as “captured rebel fighters.”