11 NPA rebels in Occidental Mindoro ambush face terrorism raps

NPA rebels (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday that terrorism charges would be filed against 11 alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who ambushed government troops on May 30 last year at Barangay Malisbong in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.

Those facing charges were identified as Jovito Marquez, Antonio Baculo, Sonny Rogelio, Veginia Terrobias, Lena Gumpad, Job Abednego David, Jessie Almoguera, Reina Grace, Bethro Erardo Zapra Jr., Daisylyn Castillo Malucon and Yvaan Corpuz Zuniga.

According to the DOJ, the supposed NPA members used “high-powered firearms and improvised explosive devices” when they ambushed Army soldiers. The state prosecutors who investigated the case characterized the incident as an “act of terrorism.” No one was reported killed or wounded among the soldiers.

“The intent behind the ambush was deemed to cause death, serious injury, and to instill a widespread atmosphere of fear, thereby destabilizing the fundamental political, economic, and social structures of the Philippines,” the DOJ said in a press statement.

Not enough proof

Originally, complaints for unlawful possession of firearms and explosives were also filed against the 11 alleged NPA rebels but these were eventually dismissed due to “lack of probable cause.”

Likewise dismissed because of “insufficient evidence” was a complaint for war crimes under Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9851, or the Act Defining and Penalizing Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law.