BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Army soldiers apprehended two suspected armed Yunit Militia members of the New People’s Army in Brgy. Carol-an, Ayungon town of Negros Oriental, Saturday.
Lt. Col. Angelo Guzman, 94th Infantry Battalion commander, disclosed yesterday that the two apprehended NPA members were observed to have been suspiciously tracking his soldiers, who were conducting combat clearing operations.
The arrest of the two suspected NPA militia unit members identified as Judy Amorganda, 33, and Ryan Abrio, 19, yielded a 12 gauge shotgun with five live ammunition and a .38 caliber revolver with six live ammunition.
Guzman said that the apprehended NPA members, who are also serving as logistics couriers of the NPA, aside from being Yunit Militia members, were tasked by their leaders to monitor closely the conduct of Army and PNP operations in the area.
Both are now detained at the Ayungon Municipal Police Station, pending the filing of charges against them in court for illegal possession of firearms.
Guzman thanked the local residents who provided them the information that led to the arrest of the two NPA members.
Meanwhile, the two minors, who are NPA recruits, and were rescued by the military during an encounter in Brgy. Sandayao, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, are now under the custody of the local Social Welfare and Development Office.
Guihulngan City Social Welfare and Development Officer Gianne Marie Mijares said the two minors are now being subjected to psychosocial interventions, which includes counselling and behavioral management, among other tools, to ensure that their development will not be prejudiced.
The recent simultaneous encounters in two remote sitios of Brgy. Sandayao, Guihulngan City, claimed the life of a suspected NPA member, capture of another one, as well as injuries of two Army soldiers.*