BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) insurgent was arrested by joint members of the Himamaylan City police and the Philippine Army after he was tracked down at Sitio Ubay in the city’s Barangay Caradio-an last Monday.
Authorities identified the arrested as 26-year-old Warren Lozano, a resident of Sitio Cantupa in the city’s Barangay Buenavista.
Lt. Colonel Angelo Guzman of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB), said they and the police conducted an operation after their intelligence units received reports of Lozano’s presence in the area.
Guzman said Lozano was a member of the NPA’s Squad 3, Regional Strike Force Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor and was identified based on the testimonies given by former insurgents who surrendered to government forces.
Authorities recovered a loaded .45 caliber pistol and two 40mm grenade launcher ammunition from Lozano.
Lozano is currently detained at the Himamaylan City Police Station, facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives./DGB, WDJ