Army recovers 13 rebel guns

(Photo obtained by Kawal Pinoy from internet sources)

By Gilbert Bayoran 
Published Visayandailystar

Five assorted guns were surrendered to the 11th Infantry Battalion by three self-confessed New People’s Army militiamen in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, Army spokesman Maj. Ray Tiongson yesterday said.

This brought 13 the number of firearms recovered by the 11IB from members of the New People’s Army in Brgys. Amontay and Santol, all in Binalbagan, within one week, Tiongson added.

He also said the five firearms - an M2 carbine, two .38 caliber revolvers, a 357 magnum revolver and 12-gauge homemade shotgun - were surrendered to the 11IB by alias Johnny, alias Timtim and alias Greg, all residents of Brgy. Amontay, Binalbagan.

Meanwhile, the seven persons, including a minor, who were endorsed by the 11IB to the police, after they were found at the encounter site in Brgy. Santol, Binalbagan, were released yesterday, after verification of their identities.

Senior Inspector Albert Sy, Binalbagan police chief, said six of them turned out to be members of the Barangay Defense System, as confirmed by Santol barangay chairman Eugene Ogatis. The minor and two others were released ahead of them

.

Sy said the nine persons, who were harvesting their corn crops, were at the vicinity of encounter site, while Army soldiers were pursuing the fleeing rebels.

The eight firearms recovered by the Philippine Army during the encounter in Brgy. Santol, Binalbagan, were brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory for examination.

Sy said the body of the slain rebel identified as Jerry Dojello, alleged by the military to be a member of the Sandatahang Platoon Pampropaganda (SPP1) of the Central Negros Front, was claimed yesterday by his family members.

In the first six months of 2014, military records show that 20 NPA rebels in Negros Island had abandoned the armed struggle, and surrendered their guns to the Philippine Army.

Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad,3ID commander, in a statement he issued, lauded the cooperation extended by the Binalbagan residents, who relayed information about the presence of rebels in their community. He also commended the professionalism, observance to human rights and rule of law by the 11IB soldiers in his statement.