BACOLOD CITY - An alleged high-ranking official of the New People’s Army (NPA), who was linked to the ambush-slay of four policemen in Negros Oriental in July last Year, was killed in a shootout with the police and military in Barangay Dancalan, Ilog, Negros Occidental on Monday.
Ilog Police Chief Capt. Joeil Reclamado identified the fatality as Mitchel Fat, 27, a native of Moises Padilla town.
Joint operatives of the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU)-7, Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB), and Ilog Municipal Police Station were about to serve three arrest warrants on Reclamado when he reportedly opened fire on the operatives.
Reclamado was being arrested for alleged violation of Republic Act 9851 or the "Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity”.
Reclamado said Fat sustained gunshot wounds in the different parts of his body. He was declared dead at a hospital.
Recovered from the scene were Fat’s .45 caliber pistol with a magazine and four live ammunition, two fired cartridge cases, hammock, bag, holster, handheld radio, cellular phone, two boxes of acupuncture needles, and subversive documents.
Reclamado said the suspect was reportedly staying in the area for almost a year now, based on the statements of some residents. “He probably went into hiding there,” the police chief added.
Maj. Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said Fat was a squad leader of Central Negros (CN2), Kometing Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS), and a known high-value individual of CN2.
His neutralization came after the local populace provided information about his presence in their area.
Pancito said Fat was the leader of the group behind the brutal killing of four policemen in Ayungon, Negros Oriental in July 2019.