Suspected NPAs disarm cop in Negros Occidental

MANILA, Philippines - Four suspected New People's Army rebels disarmed a policeman in Escalante City in Negros Occidental Sunday night, an online news site reported Tuesday. Visayan Daily Star reported that the armed men took away PO2 Louie Maluya’s M-14 assault rifle and his cal-.45 pistol at gunpoint. The incident occurred in the public market of Escalante City Sunday night, the report said. Initial investigation showed two of the four men who carried cal-.45 pistols, pointed a gun at Maluya, while their companions took his firearms. Chief Insp. Santiago Rapiz, Escalante police chief, said members of the city police alert team responded to the call for help of Maluya, but the four had fled on a tricycle. The men did not harm Maluya, Rapiz said. Maluya used to be a security escort of Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, Negros Occidental provincial police director. He was later assigned at the Sagay City Police Station, and then to the Escalante City Police Station. Rapiz said they have monitored the presence of NPA rebels in the upland areas of Escalante City. Police are also looking into the involvement of suspected NPA rebels in the summary execution of farmer Clemente Uyanib, 62, in Mabini village in Escalante City last Oct. 18. On the other hand, Rapiz said Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. is contemplating requesting the relief of Maluya from Escalante City Police Station due to complaints aired against him. - GMANews.TV