DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines— The Philippine National Police filed charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions against four suspected members of the New People's Army who were arrested by soldiers of the Scout Rangers during an encounter in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental over the weekend.
Brigadier Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said the four suspects were Ricardo Seniagan, 37, of Brgy. Linantuyan, and Thomas Carello Isugan alias Jamis, 19, of Brgy. Buenavista---all in Guihulngan City, Jessie Gamay Bongcawil, 19, of Brgy. Nasunogan in La Libertad, Negros Oriental; and Dandy Manuling Pemerin alias Daniel, 18, of La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
The four were captured after they were allegedly abandoned by their comrades during a clash last Friday at sitio Cansayawan in Brgy. Linantuyan in Guihulngan at the boundary of Brgy. Palagatasanon. An M-14 armalite was recovered from one of them.
In that incident, troopers of the 3rd Scout Ranger Company of the First Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with an estimated 20 suspected NPA members of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros operating in the northern part of Negros Island.
The encounter took place around 12:50 p.m. with the suspected insurgents dividing themselves into two groups, said Patrimonio.
The arrested suspects were turned over to the Guihulngan Police who filed the charges against them, to include illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, among others. (FREEMAN)