Rebels identified in Bukidnon plantation raid

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Jul 21): Rebels identified in Bukidnon plantation raid

TWO of the suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) responsible for the raid of a pineapple plantation at Sitio Kiantig, Barangay San Jose in Quezon, Bukidnon last July 15 were identified by the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office over the weekend.

The attack left two persons dead and about P1.5 million in damaged properties.

The Quezon municipal police station released photos of the suspected mastermind named Alexander “Kumander Bagwis” Llesis.

Aside from Llesis, a certain Randy Bayot was also tagged as one of the attackers.

Four of the 14 security guards of Kiantig Development Corporation disarmed by the Maoist rebels verified the images of the attackers who are in the rogues gallery of the police.

The security guards are identified as Jerry Santillan, Amado Navaja, Roberto Sanchez and Ruel Absalon.

The three cargo trucks used by the rebels in the raid were also recovered by authorities at Barangay Salawagan in Quezon.

The 10-wheeler truck with plate number GDL-527 owned by a Reynante Cahapon was driven by a Christopher Alvarado, while a Paulino Marnelo drove the Elf truck with plate number MCR-594 owned by a Miguel Rejas.

The forward truck with plate number GKA-995 is owned by a Richard Cahulogan drove it.

Inspector Joanne Galvez, Bukidnon Provincial Police Office spokesperson, said the owners of the vehicles used have been called by the Quezon police for investigation.

The drivers narrated they were coerced by the Maoist rebels to use their vehicles, Galvez told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro Sunday.

Superintendent Salvador Radam said the NPA rebels entered first in Barangay Merangeran then to Barangay Butong in the same town.

Radam added they kidnapped the plantation's watchman Toto Saplina who gained them entry to the firm's compound.

When they passed the guard bunker, they shot to death Rey Baylon, the guard on duty and Wenald Pangcat, the caretaker and set the bunker on fire.

"After the successful attack, they burned down the firm's warehouse and the bunker that left Baylon and Pangcat torched. Afterwards, they left for Sunny Day Spring in Butong, abandoned the vehicles and called up the owners and drivers to get them in the area," Radam said in a statement.

The Bukidnon police put the identified rebels under manhunt operation to file the cases, Galvez said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2014/07/21/rebels-identified-bukidnon-plantation-raid-355051