PNP, Army nab 2 suspects; high-powered firearms recovered

By Rachelle M. Nessia

Friday 1st of June 2012

By Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 2 (PIA) --- Two suspects in Tayasan, Negros Oriental were arrested after authorities recovered from them a stash of high-powered firearms.

The suspects, both of legal age, were nabbed during a joint operation conducted by the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) and the 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) of the Philippine Army on May 28 at Yap Compound of Sitio Nagba, Brgy. Lag-it, Tayasan town.

Recovered from their possession were two M16 M1 rifles and six magazines with 76 Live Ammos, two shotguns Winchester with defaced serial numbers with 9 live ammunitions, three .38 revolvers, and two rifle grenades.

RTC Branch 45 Judge Candelario Gonzales on May 25 issued a search warrant for authorities to search said compound.

Brgy Captain Renato C Jainar and Kagawad Jay M Jainar of Brgy Lag-it were present as witnesses during the operation.

The arrested suspects and the recovered firearms and ammunition are now at the Tayasan police station.

11IB Commander Lt. Col. Wilfredo Isaac thanked the barangay residents for providing them with information that led to the arrest of said suspects.

He urged the residents to continue exerting the “social pressure” upon members of the New People’s Army “for them to finally end their hopeless armed struggle and join the mainstream of society.”

He also cited the combined efforts of the police, Army, and stakeholders in the community and the strong collaboration of the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (JPSCC) of the Philippine National Police and the Army here for the arrest of the suspects.

“The Philippine Army will not be deterred by the attempts of the rebels to disrupt its peace and development activities,” he said. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)