FOUR suspected members of the armed group New People's Army (NPA) were nabbed during the joint tactical operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the mountainous areas of Ayungon, Mabinay, and Bindoy, Negros Oriental.
The tactical operation, launched on July 24, 2019, aimed to track and neutralize the suspects in the brutal killing of the four members of the 704th Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) in Sitio Yamut, Ayungon, Negros Oriental last July 18.
On July 26, members of the AFP, while having a combat operation at Barangay Carol-an, Ayungon, Negros Oriental, apprehended a certain Onie Bangala, 37, and a certain Nerie Boy Bangala, 25.
Nerie Boy was able to evade arrest during the tactical interview.
Recovered from the two were one homemade shot gun; two .38 calibre revolver with five live ammunition; one 7.62 mm live ammunition; 18 pieces of 5.56 mm live ammunition, 20 pieces of 7.62 mm empty shells; 192 pieces of 5.56 mm empty shells, syringes, knives, plaster and electronic wires.
Three days after, members of the RMFB striking force also arrested a certain Efepanio Romano, a resident of Sitio Sook, Barangay Mabato, Ayungon, Negros Oriental.
Romano was arrested during the clearing operations conducted by the RMFB striking force after their 20-minute encounter with the terrorists group in Sitio Talaptapan, Barangay Nalundan, Bindoy, of the same day.
Romano yielded one black bandoleer and one rifle grenade.
Two other persons believed to be involved in the killing of the four patrolmen were also arrested in a checkpoint in Sitio Yamut, Barangay Mabato.
They were identified as Rico Oracoy and Lito Cadusale, both residents of Barangay Mabato.
The suspects allegedly tried to evade the ongoing encounter in Barangay Nalundan and yielded two units of .38 calibre revolver without serial numbers with ten live ammunitions, one rifle grenade, and two improvised explosive devices.
They will face charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition with exclusive materials. (SunStar Cebu)