Redcross Ambulance Carrying NPA Stopped At Checkpoint By AFP
RECROSS AMBULANCE CARRYING NPA – Three Redcross ambulances ferrying wounded suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were intercepted by authorities in Surigao del Sur.
The suspects were apprehended at a quarantine checkpoint in the town of Lianga in Surigao del Sur around 10:00 am. According to the Col. James T. Goforth, Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office (SDSPPO), one of the ambulances was from the local Red Cross, meanwhile, the other two were from the International Committee on Red Cross.
Goforth explained that they had received a tip that wounded NPA members were ferried by ICRC ambulances. He added that the combatants were wounded amidst a series of encounters in the Surigao del Sur Province.
According to a report from PNA, the vehicles were stopped at a checkpoint in Barangay Payasan, Lianga. Amongst the vehicles was a white Toyota Hi-Ace and van ambulance with a Red Cross logo.
The suspect aboard the white ambulance was identified as Noel Dadang 30. He had a gunshot on his left rib. Moreover, when asked about his address, Dadang refused to give any information.
Meanwhile, the second vehicle carried the suspect identified as Jea Angeles Perez, a resident of Purok 4, Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur. Additionally, the third vehicle carried a British National identified as Tara Feodora Montgomery and Jaymore Rala.
Similar to Dadang, the two also refused to disclose information regarding their address.
The authorities who apprehended the vehicles sait the Rec Cross vehicles were heading to Davao Region for treatment in a medical facility. Following the apprehension, the vehicles and the suspect were turned over to Col. Ringo C. Zarzoso, director of Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office (ADSPPO).
READ ALSO: 11 NPA Members Died After Planning to Attack Relief Operations