Army arrests ‘13 rebels, supporters’

COMPOSTELA VALLEY -- The Philippine Army arrested 13 suspected members and supporters of the New People's Army in Compostela Valley last week.

Captain Emmanuel Garcia, spokesman of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, said the suspects were arrested on March 7.

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The arrest came two days after a clash between the government troops and the rebels which left one soldier dead and three others wounded in the village of Salvacion in Monkayo town.

Troops of the Army's 25th Infantry Battalion positively identified and arrested Edmund Qutor alias Jake, team leader of Team Baking; Mary Grace Villaneso alias Inday; Alfonso Mangubat alias Ponsing; Francisco Linantod Jr. alias James; Cristina Arances alias Tinang, 14 years old (currently pregnant); Roy Villaneso alias James; Mary Jane Yurong; and Boicy Villaneso alias Mark.

Suspected supporters who were also arrested were Tasing Villaneso, mother of alias Inday; Nilo Sinao; Baden Villaneso Mangubat; Emilio Villaneso alias Junjun and Junrex Linantod.

Also recovered from the arrested suspects were a shotgun, a caliber .357 revolver, ammunitions, military uniforms and subversive documents.

All 13 suspects were turned over to Monkayo police and cases of murder, frustrated murder, illegal possession of explosives, firearms and ammunitions; and unauthorized possession of military uniforms were filed against them at Nabunturan Prosecutor’s Office in Compostela Valley. (Ben O. Tesiorna)