At least 9 suspected NPAs killed in Capiz

At least nine suspected members of the New People's Army were killed in Tapaz, Capiz on Wednesday, Western Visayas police chief Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda said. 

Miranda said simultaneous serving of search warrants against suspected communist rebels were conducted in Panay Island, particularly in Tapaz and Calinog. 

"Actually ang report sa akin siyam.. suspected NPA," Miranda said in a phone interview. 

"This morning hanggang ngayon, nandoon pa sila (operating team) kasi masyadong malayo 'yung lugar eh kaya 'di pa rin sila nakakabalik," he added. 

A separate Super Radyo dzBB report said the alleged NPAs resisted arrest. 

Miranda could not provide further details yet on the operation as it is still ongoing. 

He said one member of the operating team was hurt in the incident. No fatality was reported from the government forces, Miranda said. 

"So far, wala pang report pero may isang napilayan. Pina-airlift ko na din 'yung napilayan," Miranda said.

28 warrants served, 17 arrested

Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 6 chief, said 17 other suspected members were arrested in Calinog and Tapaz.

Balmaceda said seven individuals were arrested in Calinog: three in Barangay Masaroy and four in Barangay Garangan.

The remaining 10 were arrested in Tapaz: four in Barangay Roosevelt, two in Barangay Tacayan, and one each was arrested in Barangays Lahug, Aglinab, Acuña, and Nayawan.

Meanwhile, of the nine who were killed in the operations, three died in Barangay Lahug, two in Barangay Nayawan, and one each in Barangays Tacayan, Aglinab, Acuña, and Da-an Sur.

“As of now, we cannot given you the exact names kasi ‘yung mga pangalan doon, although meron na sa application ng search warrant, we still verify para 100 percent sure na sa pangalan na ibibigay sa inyo,” Balmaceda said in a press conference.

Balmaceda said the slain bodies of the suspects are in different places.

“In different places actually ‘yan. Meron sa Tapaz District Hospital, meron nang funeral home din, isa, andoon na rin siya,” he said.

“But ‘yung kanina maintindihan niyo, hindi namin ma-confirm na patay na sila kasi the operating troops immediately requested the air evacuation nung injured person kaya medyo nalito tayo doon kasi merong nag-sabi na patay na,” he added.

Balmaceda also said that they cannot yet disclose the name of the judge who issued the search warrants. — with Joahna Lei Casilao/KG/BM, GMA News