From Malaya Business Insight (Nov 12): 2 farmers mistaken for NPA rebels released
TWO farmers who were mistaken for New People’s Army rebels were released yesterday morning a day after the military clashed with a group of insurgents in Oas town in Albay.
Capt. Mardjorie Panesa, public affairs officer of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said the two, Socrates Rempillo, 52, and his nephew, Ronnie Rempillo, 35, were allowed to go free after it was established they are not NPA rebels.
Before the Rempillos were accosted, Panesa said soldiers and policemen clashed with about nine rebels at Barangay Moroponsor around 2:10 p.m. last Tuesday. The 20-minute firefight led to the recovery of two M16 rifles and rebel documents.
Panesa said troops conducted the operations in response after receiving information that the rebels were recruiting civilians.
No one was reported killed or injured on the government side. Panesa said “there were indications of rebels who were wounded in the fighting.”
While the military was holding clearing operations, Panesa said troops apprehended the Rempillos.
“The troops thought that they were NPAs because they were near the encounter site,” Panesa said. “When interviewed, it was established they were merely famers who are residents of the town. They were not harmed.”
Panesa said the two were later turned over to local government officials “for stress debriefing, notification of their immediate family members and further necessary assistance.”
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/2-farmers-mistaken-npa-rebels-released
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