Authorities arrest four suspected NPA members in Davao Oriental

August 10, 2017

Government authorities have apprehended four suspected members of New People’s Army, one of whom is a minor, (NPA) in Davao Oriental last Tuesday night. Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, commander of the Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion, identified the apprehended suspects as Jerome Jaquin Apyag , 25, Jerman Andress, 22, Reymark Cabilan, 16, and Eking Artchie, 18,. “Information received from the community alerted 28th Infantry Battalion headquarters thus prompted swift deployment of troops to intercept the alleged rebels,” he said. Zagala said the suspects belong to section committee 18 of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC). He said the rebels were transporting weapons and explosives from Mati to Lupon on board a Red Kia Bongo, when members of the scout platoon chance upon their vehicle and was chased until cornered along the Highway at Brgy Dugmanon, San Isidro, Davao Oriental around 11:45 pm. “They further revealed that they were going to attend a rally in Davao City at the time of the apprehension,” said Zagala. “The apprehension was conducted without fires shot and manifested the commitment of the AFP to enforce our laws,” he added. Troops also seized war materials which include four M16, one M203 Grenade launcher, one improvised explosive device (IED), 89 M16 ammunition, one M203 Ammo, four long magazine for M16 7 and four short magazines for M16. Other items such as 11 Motorola handheld radio, one digital camera, three cell phones, three Hammocks, four back packs, two bandoleers, two combat boots, medical paraphernalia, assorted medicines and subversive document with high intelligence values were recovered by government forces. Zagala said the four suspects were turned over to San Isidro police for inquest and will be charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives. “The arrest also revealed that rallyists joining anti-government rallies are infiltrated by regular NPA rebels and that other rallyists should be wary in joining rallies when among them are regular members of the NPA that espouses violence and armed struggle,” he said. “Also, the apprehension of a 16 year old rebel shows that the CPP-NPA-NDF does not respect the rights of minors and is a violation of international humanitarian law,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS