(UPDATED) -- Six suspected members of the New People's Army, including an alumna of a university in Cebu, were caught after an armed encounter with government troops in Sitio Tumonon, Barangay Luyang, Mabinay, Negros Oriental.
The 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB), 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Norppo) encountered 20 fully armed men on Saturday dawn, March 3.
Initial information from the 62 IB showed the government troops arrested six persons, including an alleged amazon, a Mass Communication alumna of the University of the Philippines (UP)-Cebu, and two minors (names withheld).
"Since they are still young, it would be more helpful that we keep their identity secret. This is for their safety and for their future," Medel Aguilar, Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command spokesperson, said.
Troops seized six high-powered firearms, two M16, two M4, one M16, one AG 43 (M16) and one M203.
Liza Corro, UP-Cebu Chancellor, confirmed in a statement that one of those arrested is a Mass Communication alumna.
"She's an alumna who graduated last June. We have no information about her current involvements. But I believe she is entitled to due process and is considered innocent until proven otherwise."
(JOB/VoxPop Cebu)