Lt. Col. Jess Manangquil, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday denied allegations that they had arrested five members of militant groups in Brgy. Codcod, San Carlos City, contrary to claims.

Karapatan Negros had claimed that Nona Espinosa, secretary general of Teatro Obrero, Edito Namion, secretary general of Pamalakaya, Gimalyn Barcelo of the Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipanas, Gaspar Davao and Alfredo Chata, both members of the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers, were arrested at about 2 p.m. yesterday in Brgy. Codcod, San Carlos City. Manangquil said the group was only turned over to the village chairman of Brgy. Codcod, San Carlos City, because they could not explain their presence at the encounter site.

"No one has been arrested", Manangquil stressed.

Soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion were pursuing a band of rebels they had encountered on Friday in Brgy. Codcod, San Carlos City

. Manangquil said the back packs containing subversive documents and personal belongings left behind by fleeing rebels were discovered at the house of Anita Lariosa who was summoned by KMP,NFSW , Pamalakaya and Teatro Obrero members to meet them at the house of Garciano Mancia in Sitio Lagha of the barangay.

He said soldiers brought the five persons to the house of the Codcod barangay captain to explain their presence within the vicinity of the encounter site.

Espinosa was also among the 10 persons and minors allegedly in the company of rebels, intercepted by patrolling soldiers in Brgy. Tabun-ak, Toboso on Sept. 13, military records show.

This was, however, vehemently denied by Espinosa

The recent encounter in Brgy. Codcod, San Carlos City, was an offshoot of series of gunbattles between rebels and soldiers in Brgy. Prosperidad, San Carlos City, Brgy. Pinuwayan in Salvador Benedicto, Brgys. Telim and Cruz in Calatrava.*GPB .

back to top