BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An organizer of the Bayan Muna party-list group, who was linked to the ambush-slay of three Army soldiers last year, was apprehended by the police and military in Sitio Mambalayong, Brgy. Mahalang, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental Wednesday.
Nabbed by virtue of arrest warrants issued by Himamaylan Regional Trial Court Branch 56 Judge Walter Zorilla for three counts of homicide was Mario Palermo, 62, a widower, who was also linked by authorities to the New People’s Army.
Palermo was alleged by the police to have been involved in the ambush and killing of 2nd Lieutenant Ralf Amante Abibico, Private First Class Carl Venice Bustamante, and Corporal Joel Nobleza, all members of the 94th Infantry Battalion, in Sitio Tugas, Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City, on April 19, 2020.
Lt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 6, said that Zorilla recommended bail of P120,000 for each count for the temporary liberty of the suspect.
Palermo was also alleged to be a member of the Sentro de Grabidad Platoon, Central Negros Front 2, Malong said. Lt. Col. Romeo Vargas, Himamaylan City police chief, said that Palermo is an organizer of the Bayan Muna partylist group.*
