BACOLOD CITY – Four farmers believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested for illegal possession of explosives in Barangay Lamogong, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental Friday.
Police identified the suspects as Rea Casido, 35; brothers Teodor Casido, 49, and Danny, 41; and relative Venancio Cadeliña, 60, all residents of the said village. Rea is the wife of Teodor.
Troops of the 11th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army were conducting patrolling and clearing operations, following the clash in Barangay Bantolinao on June 22, when they sighted the suspects, who ran upon seeing their presence.
A brief chase happened, which resulted in their apprehension.
The June 22 encounter resulted in the death of one soldier and injuries to two others. An alleged rebel was also killed in the battle.
Authorities recovered from the four suspects three backpacks, two rifle grenades, three black shirts printed with PKP-50 and CPP-50, two hand grenades, batteries, cellular phone charger, subversive documents, a sack, 50 rounds of KG-9 magazines, 90 live ammunition of .9mm, and a binocular.
Meanwhile, the suspects in a media interview, admitted their allegiance to the rebel group.
However, Teodor said the recovered explosives and other belongings were not from them but from those rebels who ran when the military troops arrived. “Naiwan kami sa bahay kaya kami ang nahuli,” he added.
All four suspects were brought to Manjuyod Municipal Police Station. (Glazyl Masculino)
