BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The four suspected leaders of the New People’s Army arrested recently in Brgy. Magballo, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, have been charged on Saturday with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, Army regional spokesman Maj. Cenon Pancito II yesterday said.
Facing charges for illegal possession of explosives were Emmylo Cañares, George Buga-ay, Relyn Moreno and Raffay Patajo. Additional charges for illegal possession of firearms were also filed against Cañares and Moreno, according to the Kabankalan City Police Station.
The arrest of four ranking NPA officials yielded four hand grenades, a 45 caliber pistol and .38 caliber revolver, and P119, 354 in cash, among other items.
The involvement of the four arrested persons with the NPA was strongly debunked by Ka Juanito Magbanua, spokesman of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command.
Pancito said that Cañares is also facing murder charges in Bohol where he was denied bail by Judge Jennifer Chavez-Marcos.*
