By: Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) and 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company arrested a suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last Wednesday.
Arrested was Joel Casusa, an alleged member of Squad 1, Sentro De Grabidad Platoon, Central Negros 2 (CN2).
Casusa has a standing warrant for frustrated murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 55 in the city last April 15, 2019 for his involvement in the clash between the 62nd IB and communist rebels at Sitio Cunalom, Barangay Carabalan last April 7, 2017.
He is now under the custody of Himamaylan City Police Station.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, 62nd IB commander, Casusa’s apprehension came after the Army and the police visited the hinterlands of Sitio Pisok at the said village, after learning that some residents were worried about the alleged presence of the communist rebels there.
Dacoscos lauded the residents of Barangay Buenavista for their timely information on the presence of the said rebel.
“We appreciated the concern of the local residents in the area. This will ensure the safety of their families, prevent the forced extortion activities and violent atrocities of these abusive terrorist especially to the farmers in remote areas. We have long arms of justice, your Army and police will never be tired of pursuing these criminals, with the help of our constituents. And if we work hand-in-hand, we can eradicate these terrorists and pursue the peace and progress in every community,” he said.
