BAY, Laguna: A 42-year-old doctor was shot dead by a lone gunman in Barangay Maitim here Thursday. Police identified the victim as Roderick Mujer, vice president of Global Care Medical Center and a resident of Inchican, Silang, Cavite. Investigation showed that the victim had just left the hospital on board his Ford Explorer Sports Utility Vehicle when the suspect appeared and opened fire at Mujer. The suspect fled towards the direction of Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Police recovered from the crime scene seven fired cartridge cases for a caliber. 45 pistol. The vehicle of the victim will be subjected to trajectory examination while his body will undergo autopsy. Police are conducting follow-up investigation to determine the motive of the killing and identity of the suspect. (Danny J. Estacio)
SIBAGAT, Agusan del Sur: The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Eastern Mindanao Command yesterday announced the release of six Civilian Armed Auxiliary who were abducted by the New People’s Army here almost two months ago. Lt. Gen. Felimon T. Santos, AFP Eastmincom commander, identified the freed CAAs as Jurian B. Gaviola, Marson C. Iligan, Bienvinido A. Lamion, Eddie J. Tindoy, Sanny G. Malobay, and Hermito M. Iligan. Santos said the six abducted CAAs were released by the NPA Thursday through a third party facilitator and subsequently turned over to the Army 401st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at the headquarters of the 8th Special Forces Company, 3rd Special Forces Battalion, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), in Purok 12-A, Poblacion, this municipality. Santos said their release was a result of the pressure from the relentless military operations to rescue them. “As of this time, our units in the area are continuously conducting military operations to rescue the remaining troops who are still being held and used as human shields and propaganda subject by the NPAs,” Santos said. Nine government troops – two soldiers and seven CAAs – remain captives by the NPA in the area. (Francis T. Wakefield)
BAGUIO CITY: About 2,000 active and retired soldiers and policemen will celebrate the annual Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming at Fort Del Pilar here today. This year’s homecoming has the theme “Leadership Excellence: A PMA Tradition.” PMA Alumni Association Inc. president and former Army chief retired Lt. Gen. Jaime delos Santos said his fellow cavaliers will be marching at the hallowed grounds of Fort Del Pilar, popularly known as Borromeo Field. The trooping the line tradition is one of the highlights of the annual event. Expected to attend the ceremony are Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. of PMA “Sandiwa” Class 1985, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde of PMA “Sinagtala” Class 1986, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana of the PMA “Maagap” Class 1973, the PMAAAI board of directors, and Medal of Valor awardees. To celebrate the homecoming, the PMAAAI, in partnership with PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista, planned a series of activities that will run from Feb. 15 to 17. (Francis Wakefield)
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon: Four New People’s Army rebels and two soldiers were killed in a encounter here on Valentine’s Day. An 11-man Army team was constructing a patrol base in Sitio Green Valley, Dalwangan upon the request of the community when they were attacked by more or less 30 NPA. A gunfight ensued in which four NPA rebels and two soldiers were killed. The NPA rebels fled afterwards, leaving behind two M16 Armalite rifles, two unexploded anti-personnel mines connected to a 200-meter long electrical wire, and two ammunition magazines for an M16 Armalite rifle. Meanwhile, government security forces yesterday arrested Abusama Abpun, a 60-year-old gunsmith allegedly manufacturing firearms for the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, during a raid in his repair shop in a remote barangay in Buluan, Maguindanao. Seized from the suspect during the operation covered by a search warrant include three M4 Carbine rifles, one M1 Carbine, six 9mm Tomgram, a 12 gauge shotgun, a tripod for caliber .50 heavy machinegun, and several unassembled firearms. (Francis T. Wakefield)