The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the filing of criminal charges for alleged violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) against 11 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members who reportedly ambushed government troops last year in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
“This attack, which resulted in no casualties among the army personnel, has been characterized by investigating prosecutors as an act of terrorism,” the DOJ said in a statement.
“The intent behind the ambush was deemed to cause death, serious injury, and to instill a widespread atmosphere of fear, thereby destabilizing the fundamental political, economic, and social structures of the Philippines,” it explained.
To be charged with violations of ATA under Republic Act No. 11479 were Jovito Marquez, Antonio Baculo, Sonny Rogelio, Veginia Terrobias, Lena Gumpad, Job Abednego David, Jessie M. Almoguera, Reina Grace, Bethro Erardo Zapra Jr., Daisylyn Castillo Malucon, and Yvaan Copuz Zuniga.
The complaint against them was filed by the Philippine Army (PA) after the May 30, 2023 ambush in Barangay Malisbong in Sablayan town.
The DOJ statement said that "the accused individuals allegedly ambushed Philippine Army soldiers with high-powered firearms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).”
The PA's 2nd Infantry “Junglefighter” Division said last year its troops were conducting “focused military operations when they encountered armed personalities believed to be members of the Main Regional Guerilla Unit from the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee at Sitio Pasugue in Barangay Malisbong which resulted in a twenty-minute firefight.”
“The government side suffered no casualties while a male and female rebel namely alias Hunter and alias Liza were reportedly killed,” the PA said.
“The troops also recovered three M16 rifles, 13 magazines, one fragmentary hand grenade, an anti-vehicle mine, 5 improvised hand grenades, 50 meters wire, a detonating cord, 4 burlap, 4 bandoliers, and 4 backpacks with personal belongings,” it added.