Two ex-rebels killed in Bohol ambush

CEBU, Philippines — At least two former rebels were killed while two others were injured during an ambush believed to have been staged by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Batuan, Bohol last Monday afternoon.

The fatalities were identified as Rolando Pornes of Barangay Buhog of Carmen town, and Jaime Cagatin of Brgy. Salvador of Sierra Bullones town in Bohol.

Pornes and Cagatin are reportedly members of Bohol Organized New Guardians Association, Incorporated-Grupong Bol-anon Alang sa Kalamboan ug Kalinaw (BONGA GBKK) composed of former rebels advocating for peace and order that includes convincing members of the NPA to turn themselves back to the government.

Authorities also identified the wounded individuals as Antonio Muring, 44, of Barangay Napo of Alicia town, and a member of CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) of the 47IB, Philippine Army assigned at Reactionary Command Post Delta Company (RCDP)/47IB, PA in Camp Rajah Sikatuna in Carmen, who sustained a gunshot wound to his right thumb.

His companion identified as Micheal Hinampas of Barangay Bicao, Carmen, Bohol, and also a CAA member who was reportedly missing after the incident but was later found a while after he hid in the forest.

Lt. Grace Remonde, information officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Bohol, disclosed that it was around 4:30 p.m. when the organization was conducting an information drive in the area and to also organize a group as part of their peace and order campaign.

“Pag-uli nila, nagsakay sila og duha ka motor, upat man sila kabuok, mao to naay shooting nahitabo, gi-ambush sila didto sa may boundary sa Cambacay ug Aloja,” said Remonde.

In their initial investigation, Remonde said that authorities were suspecting the members of the NPA to be behind the incident.

She added that there were at least six rebels responsible to the ambush.

As of this writing, Remonde said they are still conducting the clearing operation in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a separate statement released by the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7, Muring reportedly identified the suspects as his former colleagues in the communist terrorist group movement.

"He identified the assailants as Romeo Nabas and Ruben Nabas of Barangay Rizal, Batuan, Bohol,” the statement reads.

Recovered evidences were nine pieces of fired cartridge cases of the undetermined caliber of firearms and ammunition.

In the same statement, PRO-7 director, Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo, condemned the incident.

“Akong pahasubo sa pamilya sa namatay ug sa mga naangol mahitungod sa atong kampanya batok sa terorismo. Kami sa pwersa sa kapolisan sa Police Regional Office 7 ubos sa liderato sa atong Chief PNP Debold Sinas, maningkamot na mahatagan og hustisya ang ilang pagsakripisyo nga dili lang sad mausik ang pagtabang kanamo sa paglimbasog ug pagpukan sa mga rebeldeng komunista nga mao ang CPP-NPA,” said Montejo.

Montejo appealed to the community to support the government’s effort to stop terrorism in Bohol Province and the entire Central Visayas.

At present, a series of checkpoints has been conducted in the municipalities of Balilihan and Pilar in Bohol. — GMR (FREEMAN)