4 rebels nabbed at gov’t checkpoint in Negros Occidental town

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BACOLOD CITY –– Four alleged rebels were arrested at a government checkpoint in Barangay Montilla, Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental at around 8 p.m. last Friday, October 2.

The suspects were identified as Jovanie Bohol, 25, Wilmar Pongasi, 24; Juannie Obidas, 31; and Lioltren Trinidad, 31.

According to the military, the four were members of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

Seized from the suspects were a .45 pistol and live ammunition of an M203 grenade launcher.

Major Cenon Pancito, 3rd Division Public Affairs Office chief, said members of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and Moises Padilla Police Station established a checkpoint after receiving information from the people about the presence of four individuals on board two motorcycles.

Major Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, attributed the success of the operation to the full cooperation of the Negrenses in the government’s fight against terrorism and insurgency.

“This is a clear manifestation of the deceptive nature of the group as they use legal organizations and terrorism against our communities to fuel their ill-motivated intent of raising funds to fill the pockets of their greedy leaders,” Vinoya said.

ZB