BY MARTIN SADONGDONG
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Four suspected high-ranking communist rebels were arrested by the military and police in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental Friday.
The Philippine Army 15th Infantry Battalion and Negros Occidental police captured Emmylo Cañares, 38; George Buga-ay, 42; Relyn Moreno, 22; and Raffy Patajo, 21.
Military and police intelligence said Cañares is a former finance officer of the New People’s Army-Bohol Party Committee and the current secretary of the Second National Urban Center Party Committee (2NUCPC).
Buga-ay, Moreno, and Patajo are serving as regional communication (RCOM) officers of Kilusang Rehiyon Negros (KR-N).
Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño, commanding officer of the 15IB, said they arrested the suspects in a joint intelligence operation in Sitio Mamposo, Barangay Magballo.
Cariño said they seized from the suspects a .45-caliber pistol, a .38-caliber revolver, four hand grenades, P24,000 case, assorted cellphones, chargers, flashdrives, subversive documents, and personal belongings.