APPREHENDED // Army Troops Capture NPA Rebels in Bukidnon

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Nov 27): APPREHENDED // Army Troops Capture NPA Rebels in Bukidnon

BUKIDNON (DWDD) – Troops of the 8th Infantry Battalion apprehended two (2) alleged NPA members in Purok 3, Brgy. Banlag, Valencia City, Bukidnon last November 24, 2015, around 4:00 p.m., while the troops are conducting security patrol in the said area after persistent reports from the local residents was received by government troops about the presence of armed persons believed to be NPA rebels who are roaming around the outskirts of the barangay and doing extortion activities.

Ramelito Libra, Sr, 45 years old, and Ramelito C. Libra, Jr, 24 years old, both residents of Purok 1 of same baranggay, where apprehended by the troops upon noticing that Ramelito Libra, Sr was carrying a caliber .357 revolver. Also found in the possession of his son, Ramelito Libra, Jr., was one (1) rifle grenade. The apprehended persons were immediately brought to Valencia City Police Station for proper custody as both personalities will be facing charges on illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

In the meantime, a former rebel belonging to the Guerrilla Front 6, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, who has abandoned the NPA’s armed struggle due to disgruntlement on false promises by the left, has identified the arrested persons to be his former comrades in the movement. The PNP and the 8th Infantry Battalion are still determining if there are other cases filed against the two (2) suspected NPA members.

In a statement, LTC LENNON G BABILONIA INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, has called upon the NPA rebels to lay down their arms and abandon the armed struggle. “With the extortion activities and various exploitations that the communist rebels have been doing, no one really likes the NPA anymore. People are already very vigilant and supportive to the members of the security sector like the Army and the PNP hence the success of our security operations as evidenced by the apprehension of these two (2) suspected NPA rebels. Therefore I enjoin our rebel brothers to think things over once again and consider surrender rather that be put into harm’s way. Our government is always willing to accept you and help you out as you start your lives anew. We have our Comprehensive Local Integration Program or CLIP where our government is giving away Php 65,000.00 as livelihood assistance for our NPA brothers. Let us not waste this opportunity. We should stop fighting each other. Instead, we should all work together for peace.” says LTC BABILONIA. CMO 8IB / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/apprehended-army-troops-capture-npa-rebels-in-bukidnon/