2 NPA rebels captured in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines—Two suspected communist rebels were captured while six firearms were recovered by the combined troops of the Philippine Army and the police Special Action Force during an encounter on Wednesday in San Carlos City, 144.5 kilometers north of here.

The suspects—Felipe Bolo, 34, and Conrado Sison, 19—were detained at the San Carlos City police station pending filing of charges, said Lt. Col. Rommel Cordova, the 62nd Infantry Battalion commander.

Five shotguns and a 357 magnum revolver were recovered at the encounter site in Sitio Bedio, Barangay Codcod, San Carlos City, by fleeing members of New People’s Army (NPA), he added.

Cordova said the 6th SAF Battalion and the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (Noppo) Public Safety Company went to Sitio Bedio about 7:50 a.m. on Wednesday to check on reports about the presence of armed rebels in the area.

The rebels, believed to be under the command of one Ka Reboy, were surprised by the arrival of government troops. A gun battle ensued.

After exchanging fire with the police for 15 minutes, the rebels withdrew but Bolo and Sison were seen at the encounter site and were picked up on suspicion of being NPA members, said Cordova.

The 62IB, in tandem with the 6th SAF Batallion and the Noppo Public Safety Company, has been conducting security operations since last week in the hinterlands of Escalante City and Toboso town, as the NPA is set to mark its 46th founding anniversary on March 29.