BACOLOD CITY – Eight persons believed to be members of the New People’s Army  (NPA)  are facing  double murder and multiple frustrated murder  charges before the Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for their alleged involvement in an armed encounter in Isabela town on Dec. 13.

The criminal complaints were filed by the Isabela Police Station headed by Insp. Jason Manguilimutan.

Included in the charge sheet  are  Joel Dadlis, Christopher Dadlis, Randy Tubigon, Demas Lindayao, Abraham Lindayao, Roman Lindayao, Randy Lindayao, and Wilhem Lindayao.

The eight are among 19 individuals arrested immediately after the encounter, but the 11 others were released from jail Friday  after the  police cleared them of involvement in the incident. Those charged are detained at the Isabela police jail.

The early morning clash last Thursday claimed the lives of two Army soldiers, Privates First Class Dennis Acosta and Oliver Grecia. Four others were injured, including First Lt. Shamon Pamittan, Sgt. Romeo Castellano, PFC Nesty Deniega and PFC Justino Esquibel, all members of the Alpha Company of the 11th Infantry Battalion.

 While in the hospital on Saturday, the four troopers received the Armed Forces of the Philippines Wounded Personnel Medal from Major Gen. Mabanta, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.

The medal is granted to soldiers wounded in action against the enemy of the Philippines or as a direct result of an act of the enemy. They were also given cash benefit of 20,000 each.

Col. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, said three of the eight detained persons tested positive for gunpowder nitrates which show they had fired guns.

The filing of the complaints against the eight, however, was questioned by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, who claimed the charges were “trumped-up.”

KMP spokesman Antonio Flore said in a statement the 19 farmers illegally arrested by the military belong to the Bukidnon tribe in Negros.

In television interview, Dimas and Abraham Lindayao, however, admitted that they are indeed NPA members.*NLG