Captured rebel faces murder raps

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A charge of frustrated murder is being readied against Japet Tuayon, a suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebel who was wounded and captured by police and military authorities in a firefight with about 30 rebels at a checkpoint along the national highway in San Carlos City last week.

Colonel Oscar Lactao, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, the other day said that while Tuayon is currently under treatment at the Riverside Hospital in Bacolod, the police and the military are set to file charges against him.

The charges are in connection with the wounding of Cpl. Hernando Santos who sustained a gunshot wound in the stomach during the firefight between the rebels and the military earlier on Thursday, Lactao said.

Santos is reportedly now out of danger, while Tuayon was also declared in stable condition already, Lactao said, adding that the suspected rebel was immediately brought by the military to the hospital after he was left behind by his escaping comrades.

About 30 suspected NPA rebels riding in two luxury vehicles were intercepted at a checkpoint along the national highway at sitio Talave in Barangay Punao of San Carlos City, the military said. This led to a firefight which resulted in the capture of Tuayon and the wounding of his 10 other companions, said Lt. Col. Ely Alberto, commander of the 62nd Infantry Battalion.

Lactao visited Tuayon at the hospital Saturday, together with 3rd Infantry Division commander, Major Gen. Emmanuel Bautista. The visit to Tuayon "manifests the spirit of campaign plan Bayanihan (aimed at) opposing the use of armed struggle" and "further asking him to abandon armed struggle," said Lactao.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Police provincial director Sr. Supt. Allan Guisihan said he is planning to pull out the police security detailed at the hospital where Tuayon is now confined. - THE FREEMAN