3 ex-PUP students held in Rizal

MANILA, Philippines - Three former students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) were arrested Wednesday night in Tanay, Rizal for illegal possession of firearms.

Senior Superintendent Manuel Prieto, Rizal provincial director, said Marissa Espidido, 21; Hermogenes Reyes Jr., 22; and Erick Morales, 21, belong to the New People’s Army (NPA).

The three identified themselves as PUP students but Prieto said they belong to the NPA’s Kilusang Larangang Gerilya, Julio Komite Pamprobinsiya that operates in Rizal and nearby provinces.

Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, commander of the Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion, said the three were nabbed near an Army patrol base in Sta. Ynez village in Tanay town based on information provided by civilians.

Seized from them were two M-16 Armalite rifles, one of them with M203 grenade launcher; a shotgun with 12 bullets; 12 M-16 magazines with bullets; 12 40-mm bullets; two grenades; and an improvised explosive device.  – Non Alquitran, Ed Amoroso