NPA hitman killed in Negros Oriental clash with State troopers

From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 5, 2021): NPA hitman killed in Negros Oriental clash with State troopers (By Glazyl Masculino)

An alleged notorious member of the Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the military in Sitio Pitik-Pitik, Barangay Luz, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental Sunday, July 4.

The Army identified the fatality as Randy Tapales, who was reportedly linked to various killings in Guihulngan City, including the fatal ambush on Corporal Mark Anthony Quiocson in Barangay Luz on July 1, 2020; Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) Mico Dinoy, who was also killed in Barangay Luz last Jan. 28; and two civilian swine traders, Jemer Pondador and Romeo Dunggoan, who were killed in Barangay Magsaysay last July 21, 2020.

Tapales also had two murder cases based on the records of the Guihulngan City Police Station, according to the Army.

Troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) encountered last Sunday at least five unidentified armed men believed to be members of the Sparu and SYP Platoon, Central Negros 1, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS), through the strong information network in Guihulngan City against the NPA.

The firefight lasted for five minutes which resulted to the death of one rebel and recovery of several firearms and a hand grenade.

No casualties were reported on the government side.

Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, 62nd IB commander, expressed his sincerest sympathies and condolences to the family of the slain rebel.

“Another life was wasted because of the NPAs’ deception and lies. However, justice was also served to the families who were victims of this communist terrorist hitman,” Flores said.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/05/npa-hitman-killed-in-negros-oriental-clash-with-state-troopers/