Suspected NPA leader, couple to undergo preliminary investigation

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) availed their rights to undergo a preliminary investigation after they were arrested at Barangay Su-ay, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last Friday and later charged.

Charges for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, and illegal possession of explosives were filed against Ramon Patriarca, Carmen Jonahville Matarlo, and John Michael Tecson before the Himamaylan City Prosecutor’s Office last Saturday.

Patriarca, the purported deputy secretary and finance officer of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon–Negros (KR-N), was charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law.

Matarlo, alleged regional staff of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS); and Tecson, an alleged member of Central Negros 1 (CN1), were charged for violation of RAs 10591 and 9516 for illegal possession of explosives according to the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), citing a record from Himamaylan City Police Station.

Military and police also served an arrest warrant for 10 counts of murder against Patriarca.

Authorities recovered from them a hand grenade, a KG-9 machine gun, two KG-9 magazines, subversive documents, NPA flag, NPA caps, and 310 pieces of AK47 ammunition.