11 NPA rebels face raps over ambush of Army troops in Occ. Mindoro

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 9, 2024): 11 NPA rebels face raps over ambush of Army troops in Occ. Mindoro (By Benjamin Pulta)

(File photo)

MANILA – State prosecutors indicted 11 communist New People's Army (NPA) members on terrorism raps, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.

In a statement, the DOJ identified the suspects as Jovito Marquez, Antonio Baculo, Sonny Rogelio, Veginia Terrobias, Lena Gumpad, Job David, Jessie Almoguera, Reina Grace, Bethro Zapra Jr., Daisylyn Malucon and Yvann Zuniga.

The 11 NPA members were charged for their part in the ambush on Philippine Army soldiers in Barangay Malisbong, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro on May 30, 2023.

While there were no casualties in the attack, the DOJ said prosecutors characterized it as an act of terrorism.

“The intent behind the ambush was deemed to cause death, serious injury, and to instill a widespread atmosphere of fear, thereby destabilizing the fundamental political, economic, and social structures of the Philippines,” the DOJ said.

Separate charges of unlawful possession of firearms were earlier dismissed due to lack of probable cause as well as charges for war crimes under Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity of 2009.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216610