By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested by soldiers at Sitio Olitaw, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.
Police identified the suspects as Keneth Nabong, 30, and Jayson John Gazon, 29, both residents of Barangay San Antonio.
Captain Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said the two were believed to be members of Central Negros (CN) 2, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS).
Pancito said the suspects were allegedly caught armed while troopers of the 94th Infantry Division (ID) were conducting military operations, in response to reports of the community on the alleged NPA presence in the area.
“They chanced upon these persons with firearms, na parang naniniktik sa galaw ng Army sa area,” Pancito said.
Recovered from Nabong was a Colt .45 caliber pistol with magazine loaded with four cartridges, while Gazon yielded another pistol of the same caliber with magazine loaded with five cartridges.
Pancito said the suspects were turned over to the police for the filing of appropriate charges.
Pancito said the Army would usually conduct military operations if they receive reports about the NPAs in the area.
“Boundary kasi ng 94th IB and 62nd IB iyong sa Himamaylan, kaya both teams ang may ginagawang military operations,” he added.
Pancito, however, clarified that these suspects were not involved in the recent clashes of the 62nd IB against the NPA in Barangay Carabalan last Wednesday, that resulted in the death of a soldier and a suspected NPA.
Pancito said they have yet to identify the slain rebel.
