• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Eleven suspects, including two minors, are now in hot water for mauling two Army soldiers and a paramilitary trooper, on March 18 in Brgy. Tabugon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
The victims, PFC Michael Catalbas and Pvt. Arlie Analista, both members of the 47th Infantry Battalion, and CAFGU member Joshua Anabo, were on intelligence security operations for the pre-annual fiesta of Brgy. Tabugon in Kabankalan City, when without any provocation, they were assaulted by the suspects.
Investigations conducted by the Kabankalan City police showed that one of the suspects used brass knuckles in beating PFC Catalbas.
Eight of the 11 suspects were accounted for by the police through their arrests. They were identified as Raffy Toledo, Hector Ollete, Remar Bartolome, Ed Lenard Mondejar, Aljohn Paul Balaba, Almar Capistrano, Agustin Sarino, and a 17-year-old, whose identity is being withheld.
Three other suspects who remain at large, were identified by the Kabankalan City police as Jenel Dionson, John Lee Gallano and 16-year-old, whose identity is also being withheld.
The two Army soldiers and CAFGU member have already been released from a hospital in Kabankalan City, after treatment for their injuries.*
