Soldiers arrested a man who claimed to be a member of the New People’s Army for carrying a gun in barangay Dung-an, Danao City, last Thursday morning.
Elisio Berot, 20, a resident of sitio Canyongao, barangay Korte, Carmen town, was apprehended by elements of the 78th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army who were conducting a combat operation in the area.
The soldiers said Berot looked and acted “suspiciously” and aggressively, prompting them to frisk him and they found he had an unlicensed .45 cal. pistol and a magazine with seven live rounds.
“Miaksyon siya og sukol sa mga sundalo apan kung mosukol siya patay siya. Miingon ang mga sundalo diri nga niaksyon og bunot sa armas ang suspetsado,” said Insp. Carlos Reyes Jr.
Reyes said during interrogation Berot admitted he is a member of the NPA and allegedly joined the group when he was still 14 after he was recruited by a certain Galo Puebla in their house in barangay Korte.
His area of operations covers barangays Sak-on, Ipil, Caurasan, Korte and Carmen and was allegedly involved in the encounter between the military and rebels last 2002 in barangay Ipil.
“Among gitambagan si Elisio nga kung makapyansa siya dili nalang mobalik sa maong pundok kay nag-ungaw sa piligro ang iyang kinabuhi,” Reyes added.
The military immediately turned over him to Carmen police station as the police will file charges against him in court for violation of R.A. 8294 or illegal possession of firearms. The suspect is now detained at the police station’s holding cell. — Garry B. Lao/BRP