Rebels linked to cops’ slay nabbed

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 31, 2019): Rebels linked to cops’ slay nabbed

Two of the four persons tagged as New People’s Army members, arrested by the police and military during almost a week of combat operations in the mountainous complex areas of Ayungon-Mabinay-Bindoy in Negros Oriental, were suspected to be involved in the brutal killing of four intelligence operatives of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7 on July 18.

PBrig. Gen. Debold Sinas, regional police director of Central Visayas, in a statement furnished to the DAILY STAR last night, said that two suspects identified as Rico Oracoy and Lito Cadusale, who were both intercepted and arrested Monday at a checkpoint in Sitio Yamot, Brgy. Mabato, Ayungon, were reported to be implicated in the brutal shooting to death of the four RMFB 7 police personnel.

Oracoy and Cadusale are believed to have been among those encountered by the striking force of RMBF 7 troopers led by Maj. Epream Paguyod on Monday in Sitio Talaptapan, Brgy. Nalundan, Bindoy, Sinas said.

The apprehension of Oracoy and Cadusale in Ayungon town yielded two .38 caliber revolvers, a rifle grenade, two improvised explosive devices and a black bandoleer.

The 20-minute gunbattle between police troopers and a group of suspected NPA rebels in Bindoy town led to the arrest of a certain Efepanio Cabusog Romano, a widower, and a resident of Sitio Sook, Brgy. Mabato, Ayungon, during a clearing operation at the encounter site.

A rifle grenade and black bandoleer were also recovered from his possession, the police said.

On July 26, soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion also apprehended Onie and Nerie Boy Bangala, while on combat operation in Brgy. Carol-an, Ayungon. But Nerie Boy managed to escape, while the two arrested suspects were being interviewed by Army soldiers, Sinas said in a press statement.

Recovered by the Philippine Army were a .38 caliber revolver with five ammunition, a homemade shotgun with a magazine, 19 live ammunition for M-16 and M14 rifles, 212 empty cartridges of similar firearms, a rifle grenade, five meters electric wires, assorted medical equipment and personal belongings.

Police probers are also verifying if Cadusale, whose middle name is Anadon, is related to Victoriano Anadon, who, with five other NPA members, were charged for multiple murder, in relation to the torture and brutal killing of four intelligence operatives of the RMFB 7 on July 18 in Sitio Yamot, Brgy. Mabato, Ayungon town.

The four arrested suspects are now detained at police jails in Bindoy and Ayungon towns.

“Oplan Branstark” was launched on July 24 by the combined forces of the RMFB 7, 94th Infantry Battalion and PNP Special Action Force with the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office as the backup forces, to run after those behind in the killing of the four policemen in Brgy. Mabato, Ayungon.

The days of tactical operation resulted in one armed engagement with the NPA, and the separate arrests of four suspected NPA members, two of them linked to the brutal killing of the four RMFB 7 personnel.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/July/31/topstory2.htm