BACOLOD City – The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) unearthed an assortment of weapons allegedly belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, said their troops dug up and made the discovery in Sitio Mocabog, Barangay Washington on Monday night, March 11, after receiving a tip-off.
Calaogan said the weapons may have belonged to the dismantled NPA-Northern Negros Front.
Among the recoveries are a revolver, an improvised shotgun, assorted ammunition, and the insurgent group’s flag.
Calaogan stated that the seized weapons will be examined to determine if they were used during last month’s clashes, which claimed the lives of three NPA rebels.
He has also renewed his call to the remnants of the NPA’s Northern Negros Front to surrender.
NPA squad leader arrested
Meanwhile, in Cadiz City, an alleged rebel squad leader was caught by police after they tracked him down at Hacienda Tresing in Barangay Andres Bonifacio on Saturday afternoon.
Police identified the alleged rebel as Eliseo “Ermie/Juan” Velarmia, a resident of Sitio Aglolomot, Barangay San Jose in Toboso, Negros Occidental.
Based on information released by the Cadiz City police, Velarmia is believed to be one of the rebels involved in an ambush at Sitio Aluyan in Barangay Caduhaan, Cadiz City on March 7, 2011.
Velarmia’s arrest warrant was issued by Judge Renato Muñez, Executive Judge of the Cadiz City Regional Trial Court, Branch 60. The arrest is non-bailable. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
