• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A member of the New People’s Army, captured by Army soldiers following an encounter on April 28 at Sitio Malatanglad, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, was found to have numerous pending arrest warrants.
The captured rebel identified as Leonido Montero, with aliases of Dindo and Lindo, has pending arrest warrants for murder, illegal possession of firearms and explosives, as well as violations of the Omnibus Election Code.
Montero was denied bail by Guihulngan Judge Eric Anthony Ateniao Dumpilo, for murder charges and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Aside from the capture of Montero, the encounter also claimed the life of Anthony Curson, alias Ka Miguel, and the recovery of two .45 caliber pistols with magazines containing ammunition, and four bags containing personal belongings.
The encounter between 62IB soldiers and the group of Curson and Montero, which lasted for several minutes, ensued several days after Rogelio Posadas, secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, also died in an encounter with 94th Infantry Battalion soldiers at the boundary of Binalbagan and Isabela in Negros Occidental.
Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, lauded the timely information relayed to the 62IB headed by Lt. William Pesase, which prevented them from terrorizing residents in the area who are not supportive to them.*
