2nd NPA rebel killed in NegOcc clash identified

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24, 2021): 2nd NPA rebel killed in NegOcc clash identified (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

REBEL’S REMAINS. The body of slain New People’s Army rebel Joery Dato-on Cocuba, 38, a resident of Barangay Consing, E.B. Magalona town in Negros Occidental. He was one of two communist-terrorist fighters killed in a clash with government troops in neighboring Silay City on Aug. 20, 2021. (Photo courtesy of 79th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

A male combatant of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), who was one of the two rebels killed in a clash with government troops in Silay City, Negros Occidental on Aug. 20, has been identified by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB).

Initially known as “Pabling”, he was confirmed to be Joery Dato-on Cocuba, 38, a resident of Barangay Consing, E.B. Magalona town, adjacent to Silay City.

In a statement on Tuesday, Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, commanding officer of 79IB, said Cocuba’s identity was confirmed by two reliable sources, who are his neighbors in the village.

He was allegedly an extortionist and involved in the burning of several heavy equipment also in Barangay Consing in April, he added.

Javines said his men have been looking for Cocuba’s family members, particularly his wife, for the turnover of his cadaver but they could not be located.

The bodies of Cocuba and the other fatality, Kerima Lorena Tariman, 42, were brought to the Manapla Funeral Homes in Silay City.

They both belonged to the Northern Negros Front of the NPA’s Komite Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.

Javines said that Tariman’s father, Pablo, came to Negros Occidental from Manila on Monday to claim the body of his daughter.

In an earlier statement, the Army’s Infantry Division (3ID) described Cocuba and Tariman as “notorious terrorists”.

“No matter who they are in their personal capacity, they are enemies of the state. They are notorious terrorists operating in northern Negros,” said 3ID public affairs chief, Maj. Cenon Pancito III.

Pancito added the duo were part of the group “responsible for a series of extortion and intimidation activities” in the area.

The 79IB also lost one of its troops, Pfc. Christopher Alada of Badiangan, Iloilo, during the encounter.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1151501