4 suspected top Negros NPA officers fall

From Panay News (Jul 13, 2020): 4 suspected top Negros NPA officers fall (BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA)

Four suspected high-ranking officials of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested in a joint military and police operation in Sitio Mamposo, Barangay Magballo, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

The suspects were Emmylo Cañares, 38; George Buga-ay alias “Samantha/Alexa,” 42; Relyn Moreno alias “Sam,” 22; and Raffy Patajo alias “Paolo,” 21.

Cañares was a resident of Barangay South Poblacion, San Fernando, Cebu and was allegedly a former finance officer of the Bohol Party Committee and the current Secretary of the Second National Urban Center Party Committee.

Buga-ay and Moreno were both from Kabankalan while Patajo was from Ilog town.

Buga-ay was allegedly a former squad leader and Finance Logistics Officer of the Regional Strike Forces of the NPA’s Kilusang Rehiyon Negros (KR-N), former secretary-general of PAMALAKAYA Negros and allegedly the current Regional Communication (RCOM) of KR-N.

Moreno, on the other hand, was allegedly the current Regional Communication (RCOM) staff of KR-N while Patajo was a former Squad Finance Logistics Officer (FLO) of Platoon 3 and Squad leader of Platoon 2, South West Front, KR-N and a Regional Communication Staff of KR-N.
Recovered from their possession were several firearms and explosives; P24,000 in cash; cellular phones and chargers; USBs; subversive documents and personal belongings.

The four persons were detained at the Kabankalan police station pending the filing of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition charges

Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Cariño, commander of the Philippine Army’s 15 Infantry Batalion, regarded the arrests as a major setback to NPAs’ operation in Negros Island and a victory of the government’s anti-terrorism drive.

“In coordination with the police, there will be more similar operations here in Negros. With the active help of the local populace, these NPA terrorists will be suppressed and defeated,” Cariño said.

However, the NPA in a statement denied the claims of the military, adding the individuals nabbed by government forces are innocent civilians.

http://www.panaynews.net/4-suspected-top-negros-npa-officers-fall/