3 suspected rebels fall after NegOr clash

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested in two separate towns in Negros Oriental, following an encounter between the personnel of Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) – 7 and alleged rebels at Barangay Nalundan, Bindoy town last Monday.

Several hours after a 20-minute firefight with suspected rebels, authorities collared Efepanio Cabusog Romano, 62, farmer, of Barangay Mabato, Ayungon town, at Barangay Nalundan, Bindoy town around 11:30 p.m.

Recovered from Cabusog were a bandolier and a rifle grenade.

Earlier that day, Barangay Mabato residents – Rico Oracoy, 39; and Lito Cadusale, 51, both farmers were also arrested at the said village around 5 p.m.

Authorities confiscated from them two .38 caliber revolvers, a rifle grenade, two improvised explosive devices, and a bandolier.

Both suspects were arrested at Sitio Yamot, in the said village, where four members of RMFB-7 were killed in an ambush staged by the NPA on July 18.

Police Colonel Raul Tacaca, provincial director of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Norppo), said the arrest of the three suspects was part of their pursuit operations against rebels after the Bindoy encounter.

Tacaca said they are still checking if the arrested suspects were involved in the ambush slay of four RMFB-7 intelligence operatives and the encounter the other day in Ayungon and Bindoy towns, respectively.

Tacaca said Romano will be charged for illegal possession of explosives while the two others will be facing two charges for illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of explosives.