NPA men ransack village chief’s house, set up blocking force

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Feb 12): NPA men ransack village chief’s house, set up blocking force

ABOUT 80 suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) showed force by entering the upland barangay of Mansablay in Isabela, Negros Occidental, Thursday night, February 11, creating alarm among the residents.

Chief Inspector Anthony Grande, town police chief, told Sun.Star Bacolod that about 15 rebels ransacked the house of village chief Aurelio Tolero Jr. between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and sought to take Tolero's three firearms: a .45-caliber pistol, a shotgun, and an M16 rifle.

The rebels, however, did not find any firearm, he said.

Tolero was on his way home when he learned that the rebels entered his house. He was only four houses away from his residence when he was informed about the incident and decided to postpone going home, Grande said.

Tolero’s wife and mother were inside the house, but the rebels left them unharmed, the police chief added.

Grande also said that 30 NPA men set up a “blocking force” to engage responding authorities while the rest of the rebels sealed off the vicinity of the village.

He added that a member of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, who was on his way home, was flagged down by the rebels, who took his .9-mm service firearm.
Minutes later, the rebels withdrew towards a mountainous area.

Grande said the Philippine Army conducted a hot pursuit operation as of press time.
Meanwhile, Tolero stayed at the police station last night, he added.

Grande said police would continue to investigate the incident, adding that it could not be determined yet if the incident can be considered election-related violence.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2016/02/12/npa-men-ransack-village-chiefs-house-set-blocking-force-456880