Suspected rebel nabbed in Manjuyod

James Abrasaldo, a suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA), is detained at Manjuyod Municipal Police Station in Negros Oriental after he was arrested by military troops at Barangay Lamogong Sunday. (Photo courtesy of 94th IB)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested by the military forces at Barangay Lamogong, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental on Sunday.

The Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) identified the suspect as James Abrasaldo, 29, of the said village.

In a press release sent by the Army to the media yesterday, Abrasaldo’s apprehension came after authorities received a tip from concerned citizens about the presence of an alleged rebel in the area.

While the military troops were approaching the area, the suspect reportedly attempted to escape but was cornered by the soldiers.

Authorities recovered from Abrasaldo a fragmentation grenade.

The Army said that Abrasaldo admitted his participation in the encounter against the government troops of the 94th IB at Sitio Cabangahan, Barangay Bantolinao last October 3, 2019.

Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) commander said, “this clearly shows that our communities are already fed-up with the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) who sow fear and continuously extort from the populace in the area.”

It is a positive response from the community that they are despising the presence of the CTGs by giving information to the military, he said.