CAMP VICENTE LIM, Canlubang, Laguna – A New People’s Army (NPA) leader and two of his followers were killed in a joint police operation Friday in Barangay Macabiling, Sta. Rosa City, this province.
The Police Regional Office 4-A identified the fatalities as Rommel Riza, alias “Ka Jomar” and “Bernie,” commanding officer of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) under the Sub-Regional Military Area (SRMA) 4-A of the NPA, and his followers alias “Ka Blu” and alias “Ka Dens.”
The Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 4-A, and Sta. Rosa City PNP arrived at the safehouse of the suspects at Block 2, Lot 10, Buena Rosa 9, at around 1:45 a.m. to serve a warrant of arrest issued by the court for murder and kidnapping with murder.
Police Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, PRO 4-A director, said instead of surrendering, Riza and his two men opened fire at approaching lawmen, triggering an exchange of gunfire where they were wounded.
Police took the rebels to the Sta. Rosa Community Hospital where they were declared dead-on-arrival.
Recovered from safehouse were two caliber .45 pistols, an M16 rifle with magazine and ammunition, and four magazines for caliber .45.