Army files murder raps vs 8 Negros guerrillas

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  – The military has filed charges of double murder and multiple frustrated murder against eight suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members, who were arrested at an encounter site in Isabela town, Negros Occidental last week.

The suspects, identified as Joel Dadlis, Christopher Dadlis, Randy Tubigon, Dimas Lindayao, Abraham Lindayao, Roman Lindayao, Randy Lindayao, and Wilhem Lindayao, were charged before the Negros Occidental provincial prosecutor’s office last Monday, Inspector Jason Manguilimutan of the Isabela police said.

The eight were among 19 people arrested last Friday after a 45-minute gunbattle between the military and insurgents in Sitio Mahopaho, Barangay San Agustin in Isabela town.

Two Army soldiers were killed and four other soldiers were wounded in the clash, said Col. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander.

Of the 19 suspects, 11 were released from jail on the same day, after the police found they were not involved in the encounter.

But the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) dismissed the criminal complaints against the eight suspects as “trumped-up” charges.

KMP spokesman Antonio Flores, in a statement, said the 19 farmers illegally arrested by the military belong to the Bukidnon tribe in Negros.

“It is a desperate and cowardly retaliation against farmers and civilians by the military after suffering a shameful defeat in battle,” Flores said.

However, two of the suspects – Dimas and Abraham Lindayao –admitted in an interview with ABS-CBN that they are indeed NPA members.