6 armed men nabbed in Bulacan

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Government troops intercepted a convoy of military-type vehicles and arrested six suspected rebels at a checkpoint in Norzagaray, Bulacan last Friday.

The suspects were identified as Jason Masulac, 33, a former soldier; Roel dela Cruz, 32; Randy Constantino, 36; Audie Lado, 53; Ramil Herrera, 34, and Allan Capellan, 42.

Senior Superintendent Joel Orduna, Bulacan acting police director, said the gunmen could be members of a private armed group out to create trouble during elections tomorrow.

He said the convoy, which included  two military-type trucks, a hummer vehicle, and a Mitsubishi Montero van, was flagged down in Barangay Bitungol at 5:30 p.m.

The official said the gunmen were in one of the two trucks which also carried 50 Dumagat tribesmen on board.

Seized from the armed men were two M-16, a caliber .9mm pistol, a caliber .45, several bullets, a bulletproof vest, and three vehicles including the Montero van.

Orduna said the Montero was registered under the name of Rafael Flores, of Antipolo City.

Orduna said they released the tribesmen noting that they had nothing to do with the armed men. – Dino Balabo, Ric Sapnu, Jaime Laude