By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Isabela Police Station is on ‘heightened alert’ following the capture of seven suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members during an encounter between the insurgent group and soldiers belonging to the Philippine Army 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) last Friday at Sitio Canlusong in Isabela’s Barangay Cansalungon, Isabela.

Additionally, augmentation forces have since been detailed to the station.

Isabela police noted there was one fatality, who was identified as 27-year-old Rassim Chanco of Ilog’s Barangay Canlamay; meanwhile, 53-year-old Ernesto Amalio of Sitio Kapayawan in Isabela’s Barangay Cabcab is confined to a hospital in Bacolod City.

For the meantime, authorities have requested anonymity for the other captured rebels.

Isabela municipal police chief, Police Major Reuben Pajarito, said charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, along with obstruction of justice, will be filed today against the captured rebels.

Amalio, Bordago and Estoya face possession charges as rifle grenades, explosives, and blasting caps were recovered from their possession; while the rest face the obstruction charge.

Pajarito also said, once a commitment order is secured, which mandates an individual’s detention, the captured rebels will be transferred to the district jail for security purposes.

He also stated, the captured rebels were among the suspected rebels who barged into the house of Barangay Captain Charlie Zambrona on November 20 and were encountered by the soldiers when they conducted a follow-up operation.

No one was hurt among the government forces.

Last week, following a resolution signing and “Walk for Peace” at the Isabela Municipal Plaza, Isabela formally declared the NPA, along with the National Democratic Front, the political arm for the Communist Party of the Philippines CPP, “persona non-grata,” or unwelcome, in the town./DGB, WDJ