6 alleged NPA rebels arrested after military encounter in Negros Oriental

MABINAY, NEGROS ORIENTAL- Military forces captured six alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members after a firefight ensued between the military and the rebels in Barangay Luyang, Mabinay town, Negros Oriental, at 2 a.m., Saturday.

Recovered from the arrested persons were six high powered firearms, rifle grenades, explosives, war fighting materials and subversive documents.

An estimated number of 20 armed men believed to be NPA rebels opened fire at soliders who were on security patrol in Sitio Tumonon, Barangay Luyang. The encounter lasted for about 45 minutes.

The military authorities have received several reports from civilians who have long been complaining on the harassment and extortion of the rebels in the towns of Mabinay and Manjuyod, Negros Oriental.

In a statement, Col. Medel Aguilar of the AFP Central Command (CentCom) said that the arrest is a major breakthrough for the military.

Among the arrested persons were two armed minors, who were reportedly recruited in Negros Oriental and Occidental; and a lone female who was identified as a Mass Communication graduate of the University of the Philippines-Cebu (UP Cebu).

Atty. Liza Corro, UP Cebu’s chancellor, confirmed in an official statement that the arrested female is a graduate of the university.

“We have no information about her current involvements. But I believe she is entitled to due process and is considered innocent until proven otherwise,” Corro said.

Anakbayan Cebu chairperson Joisa Cesista said that the arrested female served as the secretary general of their organization until August 2017.

“She was the secretary general for a few months last year; until our events with the Lumads and the Moros in August. That’s as far as I can remember. Then we haven’t heard from her,” Cesista told Cebu Daily News in a phone interview.