Toboso: Relatives have claimed the remains of at least eight of the 19 New People's Army (NPA) members killed during the April 19 clashes in Toboso, Negros Occidental, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, among those identified and claimed was Roger Fabillar Tapang, 36, the head of the special operations unit for the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF), who carried a PHP1-million bounty for multiple murder cases. The other identified fatalities include Rene Villarin Sr., 58; Ruel Sabillo, 19; Sonny Boy Caramihan, 28; Pedro Bonghanoy, 32; Arnel Javoc, 32; Joros Caramihan, 18; and a 17-year-old male from Escalante City.
PRO-NIR Director Arnold Thomas Ibay said the Philippine National Police is ensuring all recovered bodies are handled with dignity and returned to their families in accordance with lawful procedures. The Special Investigation Task Group Toboso is currently utilizing forensic examination and documentation to establish the identities of the remaining 11 fatalities. 'Our continuing efforts are now focused on the identification of the remaining fatalities through follow-up coordination with possible relatives and further medico-legal documentation,' Ibay said.
In a related development, police operatives arrested five individuals, including two high-ranking squad leaders, along the Circumferential Road in Talisay City on Wednesday night. One of the arrested was alias 'Glem,' 48, the NNF squad leader and the region's No. 2 most wanted person, who faces a string of charges including murder and crimes against humanity. The other squad leader was identified as alias 'Dan,' 25, who leads a unit under the Central Negros Front 2. The three other suspects were identified by their aliases as 'Jud,' 34; 'Ju,' 26; and 'Je,' 57, a resident of Bacolod City.
The PRO-NIR report noted that some of the suspects were wounded at the time of the arrest and are receiving necessary medical attention. Authorities recovered four short firearms, several rounds of live ammunition, and explosive devices from the suspects during the operation.
