Army files raps vs 6 women nab in encounter site

By: Dolly Yasa

Bacolod City – Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, confirmed that the women apprehended at an encounter site in Sitio Canlusong, Brgy. Cansalongon, Isabela, last week, were charged for violation of Presidential Decree 1829 or the law penalizing the obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders.

He identified the six women as Elizabeth Antrone, Erlinda Garsola, Marecic Bordago, Maricar Estoya, Jorgen Lesadio and Merencea Guadia. They are currently detained at the Isabela Police Station jail.

The encounter occurred last Nov. 22 between 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers and 15 suspected NPA rebels. It led to the death of a suspected NPA member and the capture of his comrade Ernesto Amallo.

Arevalo said the slain NPA member identified as Rassim Chanco was an intelligence officer of the Central Negros Front of the NPA.

Recovered from the encounter site were a 9mm pistol, a rifle grenade, two ICOM radio handsets, among other war materials.

This was followed by another encounter on Nov. 24 in Brgy. Caradio-an, Himamaylan City, where some rebels were reported to have been injured, based on bloodstains discovered along their withdrawal route, Arevalo said.

Arevalo said that their pursuit operations against fleeing rebels are still ongoing, as they have received reports that communist rebels are planning to have accomplishments, before the 51st founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on Dec. 26.

The six women reportedly “took care” of the wounded rebels.