PNP blames NPA in robbery of store in S. Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY—Police authorities on Thursday blamed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels as behind the robbery incident in a store in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, which also victimized the town’s priest.

Senior Inspector Rene Dale Cairel, the Lake Sebu town police chief, said in a phone interview that heavily armed NPA rebels, led by Elmer Lasib, arrived in Barangay Klubi around 9:10 a.m. on Wednesday and immediately went to the store of Edwin Tomayao Agnes.

Cairel said about 60 rebels came to the area, sending villagers scampering for safety.

The police official said the rebels, using sledge hammer, destroyed the rear door of Agnes’ store and took everything they could.

They then went inside Agnes’ house, which was adjoining the store where Father Jerome Millam, the parish in-charge of the Lake Sebu Mission, happened to be resting.

The rebels, Cairel said, also took the priest’s personal belongings – including personal computers, cellphones, and a digital camera.

He said in all, the rebels took about P300,000 worth of loot as they fled toward Sitio Bulol Lahak, also in Barangay Klubi.

Cairel said charges were now being prepared against the rebels. /jpv