NPA leader slain in Ifugao encounter

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 4): NPA leader slain in Ifugao encounter

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur -- A top ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was confirmed killed during an encounter with the army troopers in the oustkirts of Barangay Butac, Aguinaldo, Ifugao province last Sunday.

First Lieutenant Rowena G. Abayon, spokesperson of the army’s 5th Infantry Division, said Tuesday that the slain NPA rebel was identified as Artos Talastas, the political officer and leader the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla (KLG) Marco operating in the the provinces in Mountain Province, Ifugao and Kalinga.

“Artos Talastas’ cadaver was positively identified by his uncle namely: Eleseo Talastas. The rebel’s cadaver was brought to the house of his aunt: Mercedes Tamangen Amottong in Barangay Alunogan, Natonin, Mountain Province,” she said.

“The slain NPA leader was recovered by a joint team of police and soldiers belonging under army’s 54th Infantry Battalion together with three (3) M16 rifles, two (2) M14 rifles and one (1) M203 grenade launcher at the encounter site,” she added.

Colonel Roger Salvador, commander of the army’s 501st Infantry Brigade,
narrated Tuesday that  about 3 o’clock PM last Monday a team of policemen led by SPO4 Eusebio Benmaho, Natonin town’s deputy chief of police, received an information that a cadaver was recovered at Sitio Pakkel, Barangay Butac, Aguinaldo, Ifugao province.

“The lawmen immediately proceeded at Sitio Bunag of the said barangay to verify the information; and while the said team was in the area, they met the residents carrying Talastas cadaver,” Salvador said.

“The team of lawmen and soldiers escorted the cadaver to Natonin District Hospital for dressing and cleaning its wound,” he added.

He said that Talastas sustained a single fatal gunshot wound at the right portion of his back as entry and exited on the right portion of his breast.

“The sudden death of Talastas is a big blow to the underground movement operating in Mountain Province,” he noted.

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