4 suspected NPA rebels arrested, firearms seized in Davao Oriental

Four M-16 rifles were among the items seized from four suspected NPA rebels on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017. (Photo courtesy of the 28th Infantry Battalion)

(Update, August 10, 9:56 a.m.) Four suspected communist rebels with high-powered firearms and explosives were arrested by soldiers in Davao Oriental, the military said on Wednesday.

The Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion received information on Tuesday morning that Section Committee 18 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People’s Army was planning to transport high-powered firearms from Mati City to the municipality of Lupon, said battalion commander Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.

A team was dispatched to intercept the shipment, which led to the arrest of four suspected rebels aboard a red Bongo past 11 p.m. on the same day in Barangay (village) Dugmanon in San Isidro town.

“We were supposed to do a checkpoint but we saw them. We chased them until we cornered them along the highway of San Isidro. They jumped out of the vehicle and tried to escape. They ran on foot until we caught them,” he said.

No shots were fired during the arrest.

Government forces were also able to confiscate four M-16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, an improvised explosive device with blasting cap and switch, ammunition, and personal belongings from the rebels.

“The apprehended individuals were apprised of their constitutional rights and the reasons of their apprehension in the presence of barangay officials and barangay peacekeeping action team as witnesses,” Zagala said.

The rebels were turned over to San Isidro PNP for filing of charges of illegal possession for firearms and explosives. –Frances Mangosing /atm/IDL

Four M-16 rifles were among the items seized from four suspected NPA rebels on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017. (Photo courtesy of the 28th Infantry Battalion)