NPA rebel wanted for slay of 3 soldiers in NegOcc nabbed

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 25, 2021): NPA rebel wanted for slay of 3 soldiers in NegOcc nabbed (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

A suspected Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebel, tagged in the death of three soldiers during a clash in southern Negros last year, was arrested in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City on Wednesday.

The suspect, identified as Dexter Almuete, 36, has an arrest warrant for three counts of homicide issued by Presiding Judge Walter Zorilla of the Regional Trial Court in Himamaylan City.

A report from the Philippine Army on Thursday showed that Almuete was apprehended in his residence at Purok 1 by joint personnel of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) and Himamaylan City Police Station at 9:30 a.m.

The suspect, believed to be a member of the NPA’s Central Negros 2 Sentro de Grabidad Platoon, was detained at the police station.

On April 19, 2020, the clash between 94IB and communist terrorists claimed the lives of 2nd Lt. Ralf Amante Abibico of Bauko, Mt. Province; Cpl. Joel Nobleza of Jamindan, Capiz; and Pfc. Carl Venice Bustamante of Surallah, South Cotabato.

Four soldiers were also wounded during the 30-minute firefight in Barangay Carabalan.

At that time, government troops were deployed to the area to secure residents claiming social amelioration grant from personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The soldiers pursued the rebels extorting food and money from residents.

As the troops were closing in on them, the communist-terrorists set off an improvised explosive device and threw hand grenades.

The explosion immediately killed Abibico and one of his men. The other soldier died while being evacuated.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1131857