5 NPAs arrested in Lake Sebu operation

From MindaNews (Nov 9): 5 NPAs arrested in Lake Sebu operation

Joint police and Army operatives arrested five suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in an operation on Monday afternoon at an outskirt village in Lake Sebu town in South Cotabato, belated reports said.

Sr. Supt Franklin Alvero, South Cotabato police director, said in a report Wednesday the suspects were nabbed around 4 p.m. by joint elements from the Lake Sebu municipal police station and the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion at a checkpoint in Sitio Datal Ligaw in Barangay Tasiman.

He said the five alleged rebels were members of Platoon Samsung of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 73 operating in parts of South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Arrested were Encarnacion Comelio Sangco, 53, of Barangay Lambak, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat; Ronald Kulaman Joland alias Karding, 19, Joey Inson Salon alias Jack/Jordan, 24, and Hanna Blasan Adam, all residents of Sitio Datal Ligaw, Barangay Tasiman; and Bryan Dialoring Muca alias Brown, 21, of Barangay Kabasagan, Matanao, Davao del Sur.

Seized from the suspects were two grenades, a caliber .45 handgun loaded with five bullets, a 9mm pistol with five bullets and a caliber .357 pistol with three bullets.

Alvero said Sangco is reportedly the wife of Kumander Billy, the known leader of Platoon Samsung.

The official said Lake Sebu police station and the 27IB launched the “police visibility and prophylactic patrol” in the area after receiving reports regarding the presence of the NPA rebels.

He said the rebels were intercepted while passing a joint police and Army checkpoint along a major road in Barangay Tasiman.

“The team was able to surprise them so they were not able to put up any resistance,” he said in a radio interview.

Alvero said the suspects, who are currently detained at the Lake Sebu municipal police station, would be charged with violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and RA 9516 for possession of explosives.

He said they sent additional personnel to the Lake Sebu police station to augment security at the facility.

The official sad he alerted all police stations and units within the province’s 10 towns and lone city for possible retaliatory attacks from the rebels as a result of the incident.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2017/11/5-npas-arrested-in-lake-sebu-operation/