5 NPA rebels killed in Cagayan, North Cotabato

From the Manila Times (Apr 15, 2022): 5 NPA rebels killed in Cagayan, North Cotabato (By Francis Earl Cueto)

THE Philippine military on Friday said five members of the rebel group New People's Army have been killed in separate occasions in Cagayan and North Cotabato.

In Makilala, North Cotabato, two NPA leaders were killed in an encounter with state troops on Thursday, according to the 10th Infantry Division (10ID).

In a statement, the military identified the fatalities as Roberto Castillote alias "Enoy," and Jovilito Yambanao alias "Joven."

Castillote, the military said, is a commanding officer, as Yambanao is the "political guide" from the Dismantled Pulang Bagani Command (DPBC) of the communist rebel group.

Castillote was also wanted for attempted murder, double attempted murder, frustrated murder, murder, slight illegal detention, robbery, robbery with homicide, and violation of the Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination.

He was also implicated in the ambush of four SOCO personnel in Bansalan, Davao del Sur on March 8, 2017.

Meanwhile, the military said that three suspected communist rebel group leaders were killed in an encounter with state troops in Sto. Niño, Cagayan.

The 5th Infantry Division (5ID), in its own statement, said the alleged rebels were identified as Saturnino Agunoy alias "Peping", Mark Canta alias "Uno", and alias "Val".

It stated that Agunoy was the head of the Regional Operations Department of Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley.

READ' 4 top NPA leaders killed in Bukidnon clash

Cante was the political guide and "Val" was a medical officer of the West Front Committee.

Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Logan, commander of the 17th Infantry Battalion, said their troops were on security patrol when residents informed them about the presence of the rebels in Barangay Virginia.

"Members of the CTG fired at our operating troops, and they retaliated. The firefight lasted for five minutes which resulted in the death of their three leaders," he said.

"Some of the members of the CTG scampered in different directions. So, we alerted our nearest patrol bases and the PNP to conduct blocking positions and checkpoints for their possible apprehension," he added.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/04/15/news/5-npa-rebels-killed-in-cagayan-north-cotabat/1840142