Two minors who are alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested with seven firearms and ammunition in Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) town, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, April 25, the spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division said on Friday.
Cousins aged 16 and 17 years old, who are alleged remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front of the NPA, were captured by the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion and the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 3ID spokesman, said.
Their names are being withheld by DIGICAST NEGROS for being minors.
Seized from them were two KG9 submachine guns, a .45 caliber pistol, two homemade shotguns, a 12-gauge shotgun, a .38 caliber revolver, one box of ammunition for a .45 caliber pistol, various magazines and ammunition, and three backpacks with personal belongings, Javines said.
They were arrested after the 1st NOCPMFC of the Philippine National Police received information from the local populace about the presence of armed individuals at Sitio Humayan, Barangay Pinowayan in DSB, he said.
The 79IB and PNP troops immediately launched Joint Enhanced Military and Police Operations (JEMPO), resulting in the apprehension of two minor NPAs, he said.
The Alforques were suspected to be involved in a shooting incident in the barangay. They are now in the custody of DSB police for investigation prior to their turnover to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, he added
“It’s disheartening to think that the individuals we apprehended are minors associated with the Communist terrorist group. Nevertheless, they must be held accountable for the crimes they have committed. Their capture will bring justice to the victims of their illicit actions and other atrocities, Maj. Gen. Marion R Sison, 3ID commander, said.
Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson of the NPA’s Roselyn Jean Pelle Command, denied on Thursday night that two of their members were arrested in DSB.
As stated in the rules of the NPA and in the International Humanitarian Law, they do not accept minors as Red fighters, Estrella said.*