Gov't troops arrest 55 rebels; confiscate firearms, explosives

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 3, 2019): Gov't troops arrest 55 rebels; confiscate firearms, explosives (By 3ID DPAO-Philippine Army)

CAMP MONTELIBANO, Bacolod City – The Regional Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict 6 (RTF-ELCAC 6) through the Joint Elements of Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police conducted law enforcement operation simultaneously implemented Search Warrants for Violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law (RA 10591 ) issued by Honorable Cecilyn Burgos Villavert, Executive Judge of RTC Branch 89 in Quezon City at Brgys. 33, Bata, and Taculing, all of Bacolod City at about 5:45PM on October 31, 2019.

A total of 32 assorted firearms, three fragmentation grenade, two ammunitions of 40MM Grenade Launcher and assorted live ammunition were confiscated inside the searched premises during the conduct of search and seizure operation.

Incidental to the valid search resulted to the arrest of 40 identified members of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor (KR-NCBS) and 15 newly recruited individuals, 14 of whom are minors, coming from different areas of Negros Occidental who are undergoing combat related training and indoctrination were turned over to CSWDO Bacolod City.

The arrested CNTs which are considered HVIs include John Milton Lozande, Noli Lazera Rosales, Proceso Quiatchon, Albert Delacerna, Mary Anne Krueger y Villasica / Mary Anne DeLa Concepcion, Romulo Bito-on, Amaylin Chin-chin Bito-on, Danilo Tabura y Nacario, and Roberto Lachica y Dorio.

All the arrested members of CNTs were brought at the CIDG NOC Provincial Field Unit (PFU) for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges.

The arrest of the suspects can be considered as a major setback to the ground work of the CNTs.

The state forces were able to prevent/weaken their mass base and military-building efforts in Negros Occidental.

The application of search warrants was an offshoot of validated information reports from concerned citizens of Bacolod City on the presence of suspicious armed personalities visiting the said searched premises. It was also reported that the said premises are being used for training and indoctrination of minors for illegal activities. (JBG/Capt. Cenon C. Pancito III/3ID-DPAO)

Source: 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1029591