Alleged rebel from Negros, companion nabbed in Leyte

A SUSPECTED member of the New People’s Army (NPA) from Negros Oriental and his companion were nabbed for alleged possession of firearms and explosives in Baybay City, Leyte Sunday, January 8, 2023.

The suspects were identified as alias Sander, 20, and a resident of Pamplona, Negros Oriental; and a 22-year-old male from Zamboanga City.

Authorities chanced upon the two suspects, who were both carrying backpacks and other personal belongings while heading towards the mountainous area of Barangay Hilapnitan, Baybay, at around 10:20 a.m. Sunday.

In the information released by Police Regional Office 8, the police operatives were in the area to conduct validation monitoring and information gathering on the alleged unidentified and suspicious personalities roaming around Barangay Bunga, Caridad, and Hilapnitan.

Police confiscated from the suspects one unit of caliber .45 Springfield with serial number 151636 with two magazines loaded with eight pieces of ammunition, two suspected explosives, and two other pellet guns.

The inventory was conducted in the area with the presence of the officials of Barangay Hilapnitan, police said in the report.

During the investigation, police discovered that alias Sander is an alleged member of Lenovo Platoon in Negros Oriental.

Meanwhile, the second suspect's identity was still subject to further verification.

The operating units include intelligence operatives of Baybay City Police Station, Leyte Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit, First Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Leyte Provincial EOD-K9 (Leyte-Pecu). (SunStar Philippines)