Top NPA rebel, 2 others held in Sarangani clash

KORONADAL CITY — Government security forces captured three suspected communist rebels, including a ranking leader, during clashes in Sarangani province on Monday and Tuesday, the military reported.

Major Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, said Pablito Torno, also known as Jebjeb, a vice commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) unit operating in the province, was arrested during Monday’s firefight in Sitio Salbuyan, Barangay Amsipit in Maasim town.

Torno was wounded and was rushed by soldiers to a hospital in General Santos City, Balagtey said, quoting a report from Lt. Col. Jones Brisal Otida, commander of the 27th Infantry Battalion.

Balagtey said on Tuesday, two more rebels were captured in an encounter, this time in Malapatan town.

Lt. Col. Marion Ancao, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, said his men were verifying reports about the presence of NPA rebels in Sitio Bagyan in Barangay Upper Suyan when the firefight took place.

Ancao said the rebels fled and left behind two of their comrades, later identified as Sarah Balabang and Bactira Masalon.

Seized from the captured rebels were an M16 and a Carbine rifle.