By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental chapter of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, condemned the recent arrest of six suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members over the weekend in Mabinay, Negros Oriental.

In a statement released yesterday, the group called the arrest “illegal” and a “grave human rights abuse,” particularly with regard to the two minors who were apprehended.

The NDF chapter accused members of the military and police of harassment and denounced law enforcement for allegedly treating the arrested as “common criminals.”

They also accused the army of providing false information to local media.

Last Saturday, six suspected NPA members were arrested after a firefight erupted at Sitio Tumonon in the said town.

Among the six arrested included a University of the Philippines Cebu alumnae and two minors.

Recovered from the scene were several high-powered firearms, rifle grenades, explosives, among other “war fighting materials.”/DGB, WDJ