A 25-year-old resident of Himamaylan City was among the five individuals arrested in a police-military operation in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on the evening of April 22, who were allegedly linked to the northern Negros encounter.
Danny Boy Debaguio, of Sitio Bulasot, Barangay Buenavista, was apprehended along with four other individuals allegedly linked to the New People’s Army (NPA) during a joint operation on Circumferential Road in Barangay Matab-ang.
Lieutenant Colonel Ziegfred Tayaban, commander of the 94th Infantry Battalion, said Debaguio is allegedly the nephew of active rebel Jomari Debaguio, also known by his alias “Kumpol,” who, according to him, has been evading authorities for alleged involvement in the killing of civilians.
Authorities identified the companions of Debaguio as Glenmar Bacusmo, 48, a resident of Zamboanga Sibugay; Judy Caramihan, 34, of San Carlos City; Julie Ann Balora, 26, of Murcia; and Jerome Seballos, 57, of Bacolod City.
Initial reports said Bacusmo was served a warrant of arrest for attempted murder.
Meanwhile, Debaguio and the three others were apprehended after authorities allegedly recovered firearms, ammunition, and explosives from their possession.
Bacusmo and Caramihan, who were earlier reported dead following the said encounter, were later found to be alive and are now in custody. He also reportedly confirmed that he was injured during the clash.
The group purportedly managed to escape what the military described as an encounter in Toboso town on April 19.
As of this writing, authorities have yet to release a full statement regarding the incident and the alleged involvement of those arrested.*
