Injured rebel arrested Dead NPA member recovered during search

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Combined forces of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police have arrested a wounded member of the New People’s Army and found a dead body of another NPA member.

The authorities were pursuing the NPA rebels after a series of encounters last weekend.

The search in Toboso town was conducted together with a Bug-ang Councilman, residents of the barangay, former rebels who have joined mainstream society, and members of Karapatan – Negros led by John Losandy.

They found the dead body of Hergon Llorente alias Buboy, which was identified by the rebel’s brother, Ely, and other relatives who participated in the search.

Sometime later, the group found Diolito Carbanuel at the house of a certain Norlito Rebalde in Purok Marañon, Barangay Puey, Sagay City. Carbanuel was wounded on his right foot. Information from a concerned resident led the troops to Carbanuel’s location. Former rebels identified Carbanuel who holds the alias Dodoy.

The troops immediately applied first aid treatment to the wounded NPA member while waiting for the medical ambulance of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, which was on standby after the weekend’s series of encounters.

In a statement, BGen Aurelio Baladad, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said, “We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Hergon Llorente. It is tragic that he has taken arms against the people of Negros when the Negrenses understand that only through peace can development and social justice be attained. For those who might have been wounded during the encounters, we are ready to extend our help through medical assistance as we ensure that our medical personnel are on stand-by and available.”

Series of encounters between the government forces and NPA members ensued at the boundaries of Toboso and Sagay City in Negros Occidental last Saturday and Sunday when government forces received reports from civilians about the presence of lawless armed elements in the area.

The encounter led to the arrest of NPA members Richard Gallego alias Jamil, 2nd Vice Commanding Officer, Samahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Platoon, and member of Sentro De Grabidad (SDG) Platoon, North Negros Front (NNF) and Rene Villarin alias Juan, member of Sentro De Grabidad (SDG) Platoon, North Negros Front (NNF).

Authorities also recovered seven high-powered and two low-powered firearms, several ammunition, and subversive documents.

In an earlier report, the NPA was led by Hernando Llorente alias Adoy, the brother of the slain Hergon Llorente. Adoy is the commander of the NPA’s Northern Negros Front who was bailed out on April 27, 2012 by Fred Caña, then secretary of KARAPATAN-Negros together with his wife, Faith Roseen Basergo alias Bea, a political instructor, after they were arrested on April 20, 2012 for robbery in bad. The couple then reportedly rejoined the group.

Usually, arrested NPA members  rejoin their group once freed.

In the case of Romeo Nanta who also went by the names of Juanito Magbanua, Jack Nanta, Juaning, Islao and Kulas, was arrested on November 7 2011, in Brgy. Zone 2, Cadiz City by virtue of arrest warrants for rebellion, robbery-in-band, attempted and frustrated murder issued by three different courts in Negros Occidental.

Nanta, the notorious head of the NPA’s Regional Operations Command in Negros island, was released from prison on February 21, 2012 after Fred Caña, then secretary of KARAPATAN-Negros, facilitated bail. Since then, Nanta was at large and reportedly rejoined his group in the NPA. Nanta was responsible in the La Castellana massacre last January 27, 2013 that killed a policeman, eight civilians and wounded 12 others.

Meanwhile, Llorente’s remains were turned over to the PNP in Toboso for medical and appropriate legal documents and procedure. Carbanuel, on the other hand, was brought to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Former rebels disclosed that alias Buboy was the Squad Leader of Squad 3 and Vice Commander of the Sentro de Grabidad (SDG) Platoon of Northern Negros Front operating in Escalante- Toboso- Calatrava Area.

 â€œArmed struggle has only brought sufferings, death and misery to our people. There is another way to solve our problems and that is to talk peace with us. We reiterate our call for the lawless armed elements to lay down their arms and join us in finding a peaceful solution to the problems in the region,” Baladad said.  (FREEMAN)