The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday recommended the filing of terrorism charges against 11 alleged members of the New PeopleÂ’s Army (NPA) .
The DOJ said the 11 suspected NPA rebels allegedly ambushed state forces in May 2023 at Barangay Malisbong in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro with high-powered firearms and improvised explosive devices.
The suspects to be charged with terrorism were identified as Jovito Marquez, Antonio Baculo, Sonny Rogelio, Veginia Terrobias, Lena Gumpad, Job Abednego David, Jessie Almoguera, Reina Grace, Bethro Erardo Zapra Jr., Daisylyn Castillo Malucon, and Yvaan Corpuz Zuniga.
The DOJ stressed that the attack was considered as an act of terrorism by prosecutors.
“The intent behind the ambush was deemed to cause death, serious destabilizing the fundamental political, economic, and social structures of the Philippines,” the DOJ said in its resolution.
The DOJ also said the charges of unlawful possession of firearms and explosives were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
There were no casualties among the Philippine Army troopers during the said ambush.