Criminal raps readied vs rebels in Sta. Catalina

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  – The Philippine National Police is preparing to file criminal charges against suspected members of the New People’s Army who allegedly ambushed recently a member of the Special Civilian Armed Auxiliary (SCAA) of the Philippine Army and two civilian companions in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

Senior Insp. Rogelio Pacificar, chief of police of Sta. Catalina, on Friday disclosed that police investigators are awaiting the return of the three victims who survived the ambush so they can execute their respective affidavits prior to the filing of an attempted murder charge against the suspected perpetrators.

Last June 29, three suspected NPA rebels allegedly fired upon SCAA member Macbeth Villarosa, 31, and his companions who were returning home from harvesting peanuts at sitio Banlas in Barangay Milagrosa, Sta. Catalina town, said Lt. Col. Marion Sison, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion.

Pacificar said the victims escaped unharmed and reported the incident to the Sta. Catalina Police. They were able to identify at least one of the supposed attackers as a certain Aming Dacal-dacal, an alleged NPA member. The victims have signified their intention to charge their attackers in court, he said.

Sison, who condemned the attack, described it as a desperate move and retaliatory on the part of the rebels who seek out soft targets. He said the failed ambush came a day after soldiers clashed with suspected rebels in the hinterlands of Sta. Catalina last week.