By CRIS DIAZ, Executive Editor
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: Two ranking communist New People’s Army (NPA) leaders and four others, along with high powered firearms, were captured in a joint police and military hot pursuit operations in Misamis Oriental this weekend.
Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy, commanding officer of the army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, said on Sunday that the pursuit was launched after an armed encounter in the hinterlands of Gingoog City on Wednesday killing an enlisted personnel of the army’s 58IB.
PFC Janmar Dalugdog, of the 58IB, was killed during the armed skirmishes in San Juan, a hinterland village of Gingoog, a component city east of Misamis Oriental Wednesday morning.
Canatoy identified the captured suspects as Jemar C Hilogon, alias Ivan/Siatam, 28, of Sitio Camanse, Brgy. Banglay, Lagonglong; and Rubensito M Hilogon, alias Mikot/ Saluyan, 50, of Brgy Talusan, Balingasag, also a resident of Cornao, Lagonglong, all of Misamis Oriental.
He said that the military intelligence identified Jemar Hilogon as the Commander of Platoon Cherry Mobile, Guerrilla Force Huawei, Sub-Regional Committee I of NPA – Northern Mindanao Regional Command (NMRC).
Rubensito M. Hilogon, alias Mikot/ Saluyan, was assigned as the commander of the Militia ng Bayan in Balingasag, Canatoy said quoting intelligence reports.
During the operations, the military also arrested Jobert C Hilogon, alias Janggo, a member of Militia ng Bayan, Alice Calimhay Hilogon, alias Amy, 32, Jocelyn Hilogon Cabusog, alias Ela, 50, and Reve, 17, all residents of Banglay, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental.
Canatoy said that Jemar Hilogon disclosed the location of the firearms somewhere in Sitio Roa-roa, Brgy Umagos, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental.
He said that the military then captured the following firearms: One M14 rifle, one Garand rifle, one AK47 rifle, two rifle grenades, ten rounds of ammunition for AK45, ten rounds of 5.56MM, six rounds ammunition for M14, and three cellphones.
The police have taken custody of the captured suspects who were brought to Cagayan de Oro City for appropriate filing of cases, Canatoy said. -0-
