Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: 802 Inf Bde: 2 NPAs died in an encounter with Army troops in Leyte

Saturday, February 10, 2024

802 Inf Bde: 2 NPAs died in an encounter with Army troops in Leyte

From the Philippine Army 802nd Infantry Brigade Facebook Page (Feb 10, 2024): 2 NPAs died in an encounter with Army troops in Leyte

CAMP JORGE DOWNES, ORMOC CITY, LEYTE – A high value target, Rolando Caballera @Chow/Brooks, Member, Executive Committee (EXECOM), and Crispolo Agunos Jr @Brix/Maniwang/Alex/Jun/Darwin, Member, Team 2, Platoon 2, both of IC-LEVOX, EVRPC died in a clash with troops of 93rd Infantry (Bantay Kapayapaan) Battalion in Brgy Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte at about 7:23 o’clock in the morning of February 10, 2024. The 93rd Infantry Battalion is under operational control of 802nd Infantry (PEERLESS) Brigade, 8th Infantry (STORMTROOPERS) Division, Philippine Army.

“We were responding to repeated reports of the civilians regarding the presence of the terrorist NPA in Albuera, Leyte conducting extortion activities and planning to liquidate unwary uniformed personnel and Former Rebels. The details and timely information of their (NPA) sighted locations, movements and activities provided by civilians enabled our patrolling troops to track their location that resulted to a brief exchange of fires that lasted for about fifteen (15) minutes. The NPA terrorists scampered and withdrew towards southeast direction leaving their two (2) dead comrades identified as Rolando Caballera and Crispolo Agunos Jr. The troops also recovered two (2) Cal 5.56 M16 rifles, one (1) Caliber .45 Pistol, personal belongings, and subversive documents.” Lieutenant Colonel Charlie C. Saclot, Battalion Commander, 93rd Infantry Battalion explained.

As member of Execom, Rolando Caballera @Chow/Brooks masterminded the multiple killings of their former comrades who already surrendered. He has standing warrant of arrests for various crimes committed against humanity. This include a warrant of arrest for multiple murder (15 counts) issued by RTC 8th Jucicial Region, Branch 18 in Hilongos, Leyte.

“The death of these two notorious NPA terrorists is a result of the firm resolve and commitment of our people to prevent the recovery efforts of the remnants of IC-LEVOX in their community. Through the timely information provided by some residents, we have pinpointed the area where these terrorists hide. Indeed, we attain the situation that the people are inhospitable to these NPA terrorists. ” Brigadier General Noel A Vestuir, Commander, 802nd Infantry Brigade said.

BGen Vestuir expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and relatives of Rolando Caballera and Crispolo Agunos Jr, along with his appeal for their families and relatives in Brgy Luneta, Lapaz, Leyte and Brgy Rizal, Kananga, Leyte, respectively to claim their remains once the process of their identification is finished, and give them decent burial.

“If they only heeded to the long-standing call of their local leaders for them to abandon the armed struggle and return to their respective communities to live a peaceful and meaningful life with their loved ones and families, this could not have happened. With the death of another top CPP-NPA leader in our area of responsibility, it is very imminent that the fighters under IC-LEVOX will be demoralized and their will to fight will be weakened. The 802nd Infantry (PEERLESS) Brigade reiterates our call along with the Barangay Captains, Town and City Mayors, the Governors, other agencies of the Government and Civil Societies for the remaining members of the NPA to abandon the armed struggle and return peacefully to your communities. Listen to the plea of your families and relatives to go home to them and live a life of peace, love, and happiness away from danger, fatigue, and hunger. The government, with the help of civil society organizations, is always ready to accept you and provide the necessary assistance to capacitate you in your return to the mainstream Filipino society.” Brigadier General Vestuir ended. -30-

Contact Person:
MAJ KAHARUDIN K CADIL (INF) PA
CMO Officer, 802Bde, 8ID, PA
0917-560-5896