DAILY STAR: Negros Oriental

Two suspected New People's Army rebels were captured and three high-powered firearms and two homemade revolvers were recovered in operations of the 61st and 78th Infantry Battalions of the army in Southern Negros and Cebu.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st IB commanding officer, said the encounter between a group of soldiers led by ILt. Ronald Putol and about 30 NPA guerillas led by Misael de la Cruz, alias Ka Jimlan, in Santa Catalina town, Oriental Negros, at about 9:30 a.m. yesterday, resulted in the arrest of Rowel Lastimoso alias "Tata" after 30 minutes of gunbattle.

A .357 caliber magnum revolver, with six ammunition and a homemade shotgun were recovered from the possession of Lastimoso who is believed to be a member of the NPA Unit Militia and a resident of Sitio Tubod in the barangay.

Negrenses denounce atrocities
of CPP-NPA in upland villages
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

More than 1,500 residents of upland barangays of Vallehermoso, Oriental Negros, yesterday held a protest rally to condemn the alleged series of atrocities committed by the New People's Army, the military said.

The placard-bearing rallyists composed of "pro-democratic groups" and "Alsa Masa" converged at the Vallehermoso town gymnasium, and took their turns in condemning the summary killings and extortion activities of the New People's Army in central Negros, Lt. Col. Jess Manangquil, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, said.

Manangquil yesterday said the march rally by Vallehermoso town residents indicate that they are already fed up with the rebel atrocities.

DILG orders simultaneous holding of
assembly in barangays nationwide
BY JUANCHO GALLARDE

Barangays all over the country are enjoined to conduct a synchronized barangay assembly on March 25 and in October 21 this year.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 2006-25, all provincial governors, city mayors, municipal mayors, punong barangays and Department of Interior and Local Government regional directors are advised to enjoin their respective barangays to conduct the assemblies, which is a requirement under the Local Government Code, DILG provincial chief Jofralito Lorico, said.

Aside from topics to be prepared by the barangay, the DILG national office, through Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar, is suggesting additional agenda such as those on health services, bird flu, AIDS, illegal drugs, fire prevention as well as current issues affecting the nation.

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