The police may amend existing charges or file a new one against the New People's Army, after the capture of a suspected rebel who claimed he had participated in the raid on the police station in La Libertad, Negros Oriental, last year.

Police provincial director, Senior Supt. Augusto Marquez Jr., yesterday said the suspect, John Rey Cuevas, 19, of Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental, admitted that he was wounded in that attack staged by NPA rebels at the height of the All Souls' Day celebration on Nov. 2, 2008.

Cuevas and another suspected rebel, Monico Butas, 62, of Calupaan, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, were captured last week after an encounter between suspected NPA guerrillas and troopers of the 11 th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan.

PO1 Carl Mark Jopillo had traded shots with the rebel raiders in that incident, and was cited by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo later for his bravery in foiling the attack, during which the rebels took four M-16 armalite rifles, five .45 caliber handguns and several rounds of ammunition and personal belongings from the La Libertad police station.

Marquez said that Cuevas' statement might be self-incriminating, although it would be useless and inadmissible in court unless he executes an affidavit in the presence of legal counsel.

He said Sr. Insp. Petronilo Gracia, Guihulngan police chief, had read the Miranda Doctrine to Cuevas and informed him of his rights before the investigation.

Marquez has also instructed Sr. Insp. Edgar Deposoy, chief of the investigation section of the Negros Oriental police office to coordinate with the La Libertad police to amend the case filed last year by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group against the suspects.

The CIDG had then filed robbery-in-band and frustrated homicide charges against several “John Does”.

Meanwhile, La Libertad police personnel who were on duty at the time of the raid have positively identified Cuevas as one of those who exchanged gunshots with Jopillo, Marquez said.

The La Libertad police are now also trying to locate two persons who were detained at the time to help strengthen the case against Cuevas.

If located, the two could be vital witnesses in the identification of Cuevas and the other suspects in the La Libertad raid, Marquez said.

Cuevas could also be a vital link to the case and has the option to turn state witness if he decides to cooperate with authorities, he added.*JFP

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