- GILBERT BAYORAN
Two Army soldiers and a paramilitary trooper were reported by the police to have been mauled by 11 suspects March 17 in Brgy. Tabugon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
The victims, PFC Michael Catalbas and Pvt. Arlie Analista, both members of the 47th Infantry Battalion, and CAFGU member Joshua Anabo, were on intelligence security operations for the pre-annual fiesta of Brgy. Tabugon when they were assaulted by the suspects without any provocation.
Investigations conducted by the Kabankalan City police showed that one of the suspects used brass knuckles in beating Catalbas.
Eight of the 11 suspects were arrested by the police. They were identified as Raffy Toledo, Hector Ollete, Remar Bartolome, Ed Lenard Mondejar, Aljohn Paul Balaba, Almar Capistrano, Agustin Sarino, and a 17-year-old minor.
Three other suspects, identified by the Kabankalan City police as Jenel Dionson, John Lee Gallano, and a 16-year-old minor, remained at large, as of this time.
The three victims have already been released from a hospital in Kabankalan City after treatment of their injuries./GB
