32 NPA rebels neutralized in Negros, Panay islands

From the Manila Times (Apr 20, 2022): 32 NPA rebels neutralized in Negros, Panay islands (By Eugene Y. Adiong)

The intensive operations of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army resulted in the neutralization of 32 members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Negros and Panay islands in the first three months of 2022.

Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commanding general of the 3ID, said eight rebels were killed in 13 encounters with government troops, 11 were arrested and 15 others surrendered.

Arevalo said seven of the neutralized communist rebels were top leaders of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KRNCBS) and KR Panay. He identified them as Elbert Nicolas Quillano and wife Jessa, Ramon Patriarca, Elmer Forro, Carmen Jonahville Matarlo, Virgilio Marco Tamban, and Arnold Suerte, who died in Himamaylan City and Guihulngan encounters.

He said Reymart Hilacio Castillo, alias Ryan, finance officer of KRNCBS, surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion.

Arevalo also said that the strategic civil military operations and overwhelming support of the member-agencies of National Task Ending Local Armed Communist Conflict also contributed in the neutralization of NPA terrorists in the same period.


READ: NPA leader, cohort killed in encounter

He also reiterated his reminder to the members of the NPA that they have three options: to surrender, to get arrested, or be killed in an encounter.

He cited the support and cooperation of local residents to the success of the anti-insurgency campaign of the Philippine Army.

2 killed in Quezon clash

Meanwhile, the military reported on Tuesday that two suspected NPA combatants were slain during an encounter with government forces in Sitio Angelo, Barangay Umiray, General Nakar, Quezon on Monday, April 18.

READ: Govt troops thwart NPA extortion attempt

Brig. Gen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr, commander of 202nd Infantry Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over the area, said the undetermined number of rebels belong to Platun 1 Sentro de Gabridad, Komiteng Larangan Guerilla-Narciso.

He said troops belonging to the 24th Division Reconnaissance Company and 80th Infantry Battalion were conducting a focused military operation in the area when they ran into a group of armed men that resulted in a brief firefight.

After the armed men fled the scene, the soldiers discovered two dead bodies and recovered one M14 rifle, one M16 rifle, one M203 grenade launcher, and three jungle packs containing subversive documents and personal belongings.

No government troops were injured in the said incident, Balaoro said.

READ: Clash kills NPA leader, 2 others

Balaoro added that the clash can be attributed to the cooperation of the populace who have been giving the authorities timely information on the presence of armed groups, because they have grown tired of the NPA's extortion and terroristic activities in their communities.

Balaoro also commended the bravery of the local residents in tipping off the presence of armed men lurking in the area.

"This is tangible proof of the government and the citizen's genuine collective desire to end this decades-long insurgency that claimed numerous lives," he said.

READ: Army locates NPA arms cache in Nueva Vizcaya

Just Monday, an encounter also took place in Barangay Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna that resulted in the death of an NPA rebel and the recovery of war materiel and subversive documents.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/04/20/news/regions/32-npa-rebels-neutralized-in-negros-panay-islands/1840521