Two NPA members captured

CEBU, Philippines - Two alleged members of the New People’s Army in Negros Occidental were captured by soldiers of the First Scout Ranger Battalion in the province during a combat operation yesterday morning.

Lieutenant Frank Bailon of the 3rd Company, who headed the operation, arrested Beinvenido Pacatang, 45, and Antonio Damalerio, 56, both of barangay Bandila, Toboso, Negros Occidental.

The suspects were turned over to the town’s police for the filing of charges, while the soldiers also confiscated from them an M16 rifle, various documents, and backpacks.

Lieutenant Col. Christopher Tampus, public information officer of the AFP Central Command, said the operation was a meeting engagement between 30 rebels and at least 100 soldiers.

“Usually we triple our number against the rebels to secure our men and prevent casualties,” he said, adding that no one was injured in the operation.

Tampus said rebels in Negros Occidental were headed by a former priest, Rev. Fr. Francisco Fernandez.

The provinces of Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor were recently declared insurgency-free except for the provinces of Negros Oriental and Leyte. “These two provinces naa jud diri ang mga rebelde and we have to conduct operations kay it will affect the nearby provinces,” Tampus said. - THE FREEMAN