TACLOBAN CITY - Two alleged leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-New People's Army (NPA) were killed during a police operation Wednesday morning in Brgy. Alejandrea, Jiabong, Samar.
The fatalities were identified as Amado Adelantar alias 'Kumander Butil' or 'Ka Boy,' 69, and his wife Maria Norie Adelantar or 'Ka Cedang,' both high ranking officers of the communist NPA.
Kumander Butil has a P2.9 million bounty for his head. He used to lead the Dalogdog Platoon during his younger years. He was reportedly a member of the Executive Committee and Secretariat of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), and the adviser to the Sub-Regional Command Browser, where he used to be the secretary.
Kumander Butil was facing eight warrants of arrest for murder, frustrated murder, homicide, and the special complex crime of robbery with homicide from the Regional Trial Court of Catbalogan City, also in Samar.
On the other hand, his wife, 'Ka Cedang' or 'Ka Mely' was allegedly the finance officer of SRC Browser.
The operation stemmed from a call from a local tipster that six unidentified armed men were seen in their village at about 2 a.m. on the outskirts of Brgy. Alejandria in Jiabong, Samar, about 10 kms south of Catbalogan City.
The information was confirmed by former NPA members that surrendered to the government.
In response, Jiabong PNP, together with troopers from the 87th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, the 12th SAB, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of the Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO) immediately proceeded to the area.
According to the operating teams, they were fired upon as they arrived in the area prompting them to defend themselves.
The two wounded rebels were left behind while others escaped.
There were no reported casualties or injuries on the side of the operating teams.
Authorities were able to recover one KG9 sub-machine gun and one 9mm pistol with an empty steel magazine believed to be used by Kumander Butil.
Meanwhile, another 9mm pistol loaded with five bullets, believed to be the firearm used by Ka Cedang, was also recovered.
Aside from the guns allegedly used by the fatalities, the SOCO also recovered three fired cartridge cases of 5.56 caliber, three fired cartridge cases of 9mm, 1 MK2 hand grenade, and another improvised hand grenade.
Sources revealed that the couple had been soliciting permits to campaign during elections.
They also informed that Ka Cedang is a board-certified teacher but opted not to pursue a teaching profession, and instead joined the CPP-NPA.
The sources added that the couple is from the neighboring Paranas town.
Meanwhile, Col. Richard Saavedra, Samar Police Provincial Director, commended the operating teams for their successful anti-insurgency operations that led to the neutralization of two alleged notorious CPP-NPA leaders.
“We always encourage our police officers in all areas to stay vigilant and take extra caution from these kind of incidents,” Saavedra said.