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CPP-NPA Suffers ‘Huge Blow’ As 4 Officials Fall In NegOcc

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A top official of the Philippine Army considered the arrest of four suspected rebels in Negros Occidental as a “huge blow” to the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) and the Armed Forces’ Joint Task Force Spear in Western and Central Visayas, said on Tuesday the successful law enforcement operation was an essential part of the government campaign to end the violence and terrorism perpetrated by the communist-terrorist group.

Arrested by joint military and police troops in Barangay Magballo, Kabankalan City on July 10 were Emmylou Cañares, 38, a resident of South Poblacion, San Fernando, Cebu; George Buga-ay, 42, of Barangay Punta Taytay, Bacolod City; Relyn Morino, 22, a resident of Barangay Orong, Kabankalan City; and Raffy Patajo, 21, of Sitio Montelo, Barangay Pinggot, Ilog, also in Negros Occidental.

According to the Philippine Army, Cañares is the current secretary of the Second National Urban Center Party Committee while Buga-ay, a former squad leader and finance logistics officer of the Regional Strike Forces of the Kilusang Rehiyon – Negros (KR-N), is now with the KR-N Regional Communication (RCOM), along with Morino and Patajo.

In a statement, NPA Apolinario Gatmaitan Command spokesman Juanito Magbanua denied the four are CPP-NPA officials.

Maj. Cenon Pancito III, chief of 3ID’s Public Affairs Office, said he was not surprised by Magbanua’s denial since the communist-terrorists are masters at making excuses.

“If indeed, they believe that these people are not their allies, then they should condemn them for violating the laws and condemn them for terrorizing the people,” he added.

Pancito said now that the CPP-NPA is “crippled by the series of combined operations against their group, they know what this government can do to paralyze their movement.”

During their arrest, the four suspected rebels yielded a .45-caliber pistol, .38-caliber revolver loaded with five rounds of ammunition, and four hand grenades, along with several mobile phones USB flash drives, and cash amounting to PHP119,354, among others.

Cañares and Morino are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and RA 9516 or Illegal Possession of Explosives; Buga-ay, for RA 10591; and Patajo, for RA 9516. (Nanette Guadalquiver ndb via pna, photo courtesy of pna)

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