11 NPA rebels to face charges

CEBU, Philippines — About 11 suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines who allegedly mauled and killed four policemen in Negros Oriental have already been identified and would be charged in court.

Police Regional Office-7 Director Debold Sinas said that they are also looking at a person of interest identified as Victoriano Anadon alyas Oto.

Anadon reportedly served as the contact of the slain policemen, who are about to see him to ask him about the reported presence of a rebel group.

Sinas said that Anadon may have been the one who had “set up” the police to get killed.

When they conducted a background check on Anadon, two of his siblings are reportedly members of the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Sinas said they would file murder and robbery charges against the 11 suspected rebel members, as directed by the President Rodrigo Duterte.

He also said that they already have 24 composite sketches of the other members, whom the police want to identify.

Four members of the 704th RMFB-7 who was assigned at a detachment in Barangay Poblacion, Mabinay, Negros Oriental went to Sitio Yamot, Barangay Mabato, Ayungon, Negros Oriental to verify about the reported presence of NPA rebels.

The four slain policemen were Police Corporal Relebert Beronio, Patrolman Raffy Callao, Patrolman Roel Cabellon, and Patrolman Marquino De Leon.

When the four policemen reportedly arrived in the area, armed men already waited for them.

The lifeless bodies of the four policemen were later found lying beside the road.

Sinas said that the policemen were subjected to “summary killing” in front of the residents in the area.

He also said that the incident hit the morale of the troops in Negros, especially to the members of the RMFB-7.

“Next time kung mag intel, dapat properly back-up.  Di basta-basta mosulod sa mga lugar nga naay strong hold ang rebelde,” Sinas said.

The four cops are scheduled to be buried over the weekend.

Sinas also said that they are still receiving threats from the armed group in Negros.

He said he will meet with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to assess the situation and to plan out their next move. (FREEMAN)