Suspected NPA rebels snatch firearms of Digos City prosecutor in Davao Sur

MAGSAYSAY, Davao del Sur, Philippines – Suspected communist rebels on Wednesday seized four firearms from a public prosecutor at a roadblock in a remote village here.

Senior Insp. Ricky Boy Remoroza, the town police chief, said Digos City prosecutor Christopher Abarilla reported that he and his family were traveling from Barangay Tacul here for Digos City when they were flagged down by some 20 armed men in military uniforms as they were passing by Barangay San Isidro around 4:30 p.m.

Remoroza said Abarilla, 61, told police that aside from his wife and son, two other men, identified as Mardonio Bocquil and Ednel Barinque, were with him onboard the family-owned Isuzu D-Max pickup truck.

He said that as the prosecutor’s vehicle pulled for a stop at the roadblock, one of the armed men introduced themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Remoroza said the armed men rounded up the victims, inspected the car, and took the firearms – a Colt .45 caliber pistol; a Rock Island .45 caliber pistol; a Llama caliber .380 pistol; and an M2 carbine rifle with a loaded magazine.

He said Abarilla owned up to the firearms, which he claimed were all licensed.

He said Abarilla also reported that they were unharmed and were all released after the rebels confiscated the firearms.

Remoroza said the police, in coordination with the military, have launched a manhunt against the rebels.  SFM