Intel operations spur Bacolod raids

The intelligence reports came from various sources, dismissing claims that the police and military operatives planted evidence leading to the raids.

BACOLOD CITY — Detailed and thorough intelligence work has sparked several raids and arrests conducted by the authorities in offices of progressive groups here which led to the recovery of various firearms, ammunition and explosives, according to an Army spokesman.

Public affairs chief of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division Capt. Cenon Pancito III confirmed that the intelligence reports came from various sources, dismissing claims that the police and military operatives planted evidence leading to the raids.

“This is a product of thorough intelligence operations. (The information) did not just come from one source. We actually have various sources,” Pancito said in a joint AFP-PNP press conference held at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office headquarters on Friday afternoon.

A total of 32 firearms, 130 rounds of ammunition, and five explosives as well as subversive documents were recovered during the raids conducted in four areas occupied by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela, Anakpawis and National Federation of Sugar Workers.

Most of the war materiel recovered came from Barangay Bata, while Barangay Taculing and Barangay 33 also yielded the confiscated items.

The operations were supported by search warrants obtained by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which were issued for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law, by Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert of the Regional Trial Court Branch 89 in Quezon City.

Pancito said the final count of the persons arrested was 55 after it was initially reported that 62 persons were rounded up during the simultaneous raids.

Of the number, 40 were identified as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor and are now in the custody of the Negros Occidental police.

The 15 others, which include 14 minors and a 19-year-old female, were considered as recruits and have been endorsed to the city’s Department of Social Welfare and Development.