2 alleged NPA members arrested in Bukidnon

August 3, 2017

Two alleged members of New People’s Army (NPA), including a bomb expert, were arrested after a five-minute encounter in Bukidnon Wednesday morning.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the encounter occurred in the vicinity of Purok 8, Brgy Kiburiao, Quezon.

Martinez said joint military and police forces were responding to the reported presence of an armed group when they have encountered them.

“Troops responded to a report that a group of NPA bandit is planning to launch atrocities in the area. When they (troops) arrived, clash ensued and lasted for about five minutes which prompted the NPAs to scamper out of the said community,” he said.

Martinez said the government forces arrested Ruel Cololot, the bomb expert, and Ramil Cololot, member of the alleged NPA terror group.

He noted  based on the identification card recovered from his procession, Ruel is also a member of Anak Pawis Partylist.

Martinez said the authorities recovered war materials during the operation.

Among the recovered items were one 57 recoilless rifle (RR) , 24 pieces of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two Cal. 38 revolver,  ten meters safety fuse, 200 meters detonating chords, five blasting caps, switch boxes, three Laptops, 51 rounds of cal. 30 ammunition, other IED Paraphernalia, and subversive documents.

“Col Eric  Vinoya, 403rd Infantry Brigade Commander immediately ordered his troop to clear the said area and conduct pursuit operation to the other NPA members,” he said.

“The arrested NPAs are now in the custody of the PNP for proper facilitation of case,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS