20 unidentified men in army uniforms are believed to have taken away military equipment of six security guards appointed at the Maricalum Mining Corp. in the city of Sipalay, Negros Occidental at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Six shotguns and a .9mm caliber pistol were confiscated by eight men suspected to be a part of the New People’s Army with M16 and M14 rifles with M203, according Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo).
After the scene, the alleged rebel group escaped on a white van and headed towards the airport. Men on motorcycles were also in tow.
Castil added the armed men were wearing bonnets, which was unusual because rebels don’t wear any sort of headgear in times of hostility.
The Nocppo also sought increased protection from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Army in the area.
The police are still validating the incident.
Photo courtesy of Julius Mariveles (PCIJ)/ Story first appeared on SunStar Bacolod
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