Government forces detain two suspected NPA members

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Two individuals suspected of being New People’s Army (NPA) members were apprehended, and several firearms were confiscated by government forces in Barangay Pinowayan, Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB), Negros Occidental, on Tuesday.

Captain Dan Carlo Samoza, the civil military operations (CMO) officer of the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), reported that the alleged remnants of the now-disbanded Northern Negros Front (NNF) were detained during a joint operation with the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (Nocpmfc). The operation was initiated after reports surfaced about the presence of unidentified armed individuals in the region.

Samoza mentioned that investigations are still underway and additional information is pending. “We are still validating with our counterparts,” he added, indicating that the situation is fluid.

The military seized a KG9 submachine gun, a .45 caliber pistol, and three 12 gauge shotguns, Samoza detailed.

Police Captain Judesses Catalogo, public information officer of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), confirmed that the local police are anticipating the official report from the Army and the DSB town police force to proceed further.