CAUAYAN SKIRMISH
'Militant groups attempt
to extricate injured NPAs'

The military yesterday uncovered what it claims to be an attempt of militant groups to "extricate" members of the New People's Army injured in a clash with soldiers in Sitio Malabago, Brgy. Camalanda-an, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Jan. 29.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday said the seizure of a rebel camp occupied by 30 rebels, and the death of two insurgents and injuries to many others during the attack, was a setback to the tactical offensives of the New People's Army.

Karapatan Negros and its allied organizations that conducted what they call a fact-finding mission after an encounter between soldiers and a group of rebels led by a certain Ka Lauro, claim to have documented alleged human rights violations committed by the 61st Infantry Battalion such as physical assault, violation of domicile, forcible evacuation and divestment of properties.

Flores, however, said, "Those are all concocted allegations to lessen the impact of our military success and the debacle suffered by the rebels."

He maintained that it was a legitimate encounter. "We anticipate such accusations from the CPP-NPA legal fronts", Flores said.

Karapatan, in a statement, further accused a team of soldiers led by a certain Lt. Delgado of making a chapel in Sitio Abubo, Brgy. Tomina, Cauayan, as a temporary detachment, which it said was "a clear disrespect of humanitarian provisions protecting the improper use, or desecration of places of worship."

Flores said the discovery and seizure of the rebel camp was realized through an information relayed to them by residents of the barangay.

A military report said there were no casualties among soldiers of the 61st Infantry Battalion during the armed skirmishes.*GPB

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Notorious motorcycle
thief apprehended

A notorious motorcycle thief in San Carlos City was arrested by the police yesterday.

Senior Inspector Victorino Romanillos identified the arrested suspect as Wilmer Laroa, who has a pending complaint for theft before the City Prosecutor's Office of San Carlos.

Romanillos said Laroa was arrested by SPO4 Danilo Zuniega, SPO4 Rogelio Pasinio, PO3 Sofronio Racho and PO2 Tito Sia on Jan. 31 at Purok Santo Niño, Brgy. Rizal, San Carlos City.

A stolen Kawasaki KMX 125 motorcycle reportedly owned by Edgar Abonales of Bacolod City, was also recovered from Laroa, who is now locked up in jail, the police said.

Police investigations show that Laroa took the motorcycle of Vernalee Navarro, that was parked inside the compound of the San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral on Jan. 28.

While conducting a follow-up investigation in the theft of Navarro's motorcycle, Romanillos said they were informed by Fernando Belleza, vice president for administration of the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City, that Laroa had surrendered to him on Jan. 30.

Laroa, who used to stay at the La Salle Bahay Pag-asa Rehabilitation Center in Brgy. Granada, Bacolod City, was fetched by Racho and Sia to bring him to the police station of San Carlos City, with the stolen motorcycle of Navarro.

Laroa, however, escaped from Racho and Sia while they were about to have dinner at a restaurant in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, leaving behind the motorcycle.

Laroa was, however, spotted at Purok Santo Niño, Brgy. Rizal, San Carlos City, and was arrested the next day, Romanillos said.

sAnother case of theft is now being readied by the police against Laroa for stealing the motorcycle of Abonales.*GPB

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Rape suspect nabbed

A trisikad driver was arrested yesterday by the Bacolod Warrant and Sub-poena Section operatives for allegedly raping his 13-year-old neighbor at Gonzaga-Ciocon streets in Brgy. 26, Bacolod City in February 2005.

WSS operatives led by SPO1 Herson Villanueva nabbed Richard De-erit Jimenez alias "Chang", 38, at his residence at about 8 a.m. yesterday, on the strength of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Ray Alan Drilon of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 41, for rape charges.

No bail was recommended for Jimenez who is now detained at the lock-up cell of the Bacolod police office.

Jimenez, meanwhile, denied that he had raped the girl, claiming that he does not know the complainant. He said he was puzzled when the Bacolod policemen approached and arrested him.

Meanwhile, Cristina Oroso Lim, alias "Rose", 31, of Purok Sigay, Brgy. 2, Bacolod City was arrested by PO2 Eric Lisbo of Police Precicnt 1 in the barangay at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, for theft charges.

Lim was arrested on the strength of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Ramon Delariarte of the Regional Trial Court Branch 49, for violation of Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code, or theft. Her bail was set at P20,000, police reports said.*DMG

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