Two men were arrested by police in Sipalay City over the weekend for allegedly stalking local chapter members of progressive groups Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Karapatan.

In a radio interview, National Union of People’s Lawyer (NUPL) president, Atty. Edre Olalia, identified the two men as Rodolfo Gaday Alemen, Jr. and Macoy Villahermosa, both are reportedly active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

According to Olalia, around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, as the progressive groups were heading from Bacolod City to Sipalay City to attend the wake for slain NUPL member Atty. Benjamin Ramos, they spotted Alemen and Villahermosa tailing them on motorcycle, along with a pickup truck.

The groups attempted to shake the suspects off repeatedly, but they were followed for four hours, with the suspects allegedly taking pictures of the group.

Upon arrival at the wake, one of the suspects reportedly pulled a firearm, prompting the groups to seek assistance from police.

The pick-up truck, meanwhile, sped off following Alemen and Villahermosa’s arrest.

Olalia said, when police brought the two to the police station, they recovered several AFP identification cards. He also noted, they recovered two firearms, although only one firearm was declared in the police station.

The NUPL president believes the two were targeting one of the members.

He added, they are still verifying the identities of the two suspects as it is believed they are using fake names./DGB, WDJ