Bodyguard to face raps
for frustrated murder

Charges for frustrated homicide will be filed this week against a personal bodyguard of a Victorias Milling Co. official, for shooting the son of a barangay captain in Bacolod City Tuesday.

The charges will be filed before the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office against Manny Balboa of Brgy. Napolis, Bago City, Negros Occidental, and a temporary resident of Purok Galaluma in Brgy. 25, Bacolod, Chief Insp. Adonis Rosales said yesterday.

Balboa was on his way to work when his neighbor, Mario Federico Panes, 54, allegedly blocked his way. That resulted in a verbal tussle and eventual shooting. Police said the two had argued over a parking space.

Rosales said they are coordinating with the family of Balboa, who evaded arrest, and are asking them to encourage him to surrender and face the consequences of his actions.

He said that, based on the ballistic examination by the crime laboratory of the Philippine National Police on the deformed slugs recovered at the crime scene, the gun used was a 9-millimeter pistol.

Panes, son of Brgy. 25 Captain Federico Panes, is now confined at the Intensive Care Unit of the Riverside Medical Center for a gunshot wound on his chest.*APN

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Soldiers lauded
for ‘saving’ rebel

The Army’s 6th Infantry Division yesterday commended Negrense Col. Ademar Tomaro, the new commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, and his men for strictly implementing the code of conduct stipulated in the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan”.

The group was recommended for extending medical first aid and evacuating an injured New People’ Army rebel to a hospital, saving his life.

In his report to Major General Ceasar Ordoyo yesterday, Tomaro said the injured NPA member was airlifted to a military hospital in Maguindanao, after an encounter on Tuesday with 6th Scout Ranger Company troopers in Tulunan town of North Cotabato.

Government troopers recovered an M16 and AK-47 assault rifles from the encounter site, where the body of a suspected NPA rebel killed in the encounter, was also found, military records show.

Tomaro assumed command of the 602nd Infantry Brigade two weeks ago. He supervises the internal peace and security operations of four Army battalions in central Mindanao.

Several days before the encounter, an abandoned rebel camp was discovered in the area by state security forces.

Ordoyo also commended Tomaro, Lt. Col. Noel de la Cruz and 1Lt. Jonathan Sara Sara for the proper handling of the combat operation, and for strictly observing the Rules of Engagement.

No casualty was reported on the government side.

“Though we are gaining grounds against the NPA, “Ordoyo said, “I am also saddened that somebody’s life had to be sacrificed”.

Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that the 47th Infantry Battalion also extended help to the family of slain NPA medical officer Julia Tabat during her burial in Candoni recently.

The NPA Armando Sumayang Command hailed Tabat, who was killed in an encounter with 47IB soldiers, as a martyr of the revolutionary movement.*GPB

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Cop mauled in Bacolod

A policeman was injured when unidentified men ganged up on him, and mauled him in Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, Monday.

Case investigator, Police Officer 2 Roberto Gaurana identified the injured cop as PO2 Bobby Cordero, 47, who is assigned at the Escalante City Police Station.

Investigation showed that Cordero, who was off duty and was in civilian clothes, was on his way home at about 11 p.m. Monday from the Goldenfield Commercial Complex when the suspects blocked his way and mauled him, for still unknown reasons.

Gaurana said Cordero sustained injuries on his face and head and was rushed to the Riverside Medical Center, where he is now confined. He said Cordero also underwent an X-ray examination but is now in stable condition.*APN

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