Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, defended the encounter between the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the NPA, saying it was a legitimate military operation in response to reports regarding the presence and extortion activities of communist guerillas in the area.
The Leonardo Panaligan Command of the NPA claimed that the clash in Canlaon City was a fake encounter.
“Walang katotohanan ang sinasabing may naganap na engkwentro sa pagitan ng tropa ng 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) at NPA (No encounter happened between the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the NPA),” JB Regalado, spokesperson of LPC-NPA, said in a statement.
The Army initially identified the slain NPA rebels as Cristina Jacolbe, alias “Chave,” 40, finance officer; her daughter, Everly Kee Jacolbe, alias “Kaye,” 18; and Ernie Jacolbe, all members of the Central Negros 1 (CN1) of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR-NCBS).
However, the Army on Wednesday, July 27, excluded Ernie’s name in the list of fatalities after his son confirmed to them that his father was not killed in the clash.
The Army released the name of the other fatality as Rodan Montero, alias “DJ,” 42, but they could not confirm the relationship of Montero to the Jacolbe family yet.
The LPC-NPA condemned their death and said that the family of Jacolbe was resting in a hut in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City when the clash occurred.
Regalado claimed the Army planted the firearms on the casualties and carted away their money and personal belongings.
He said that Cristina was a former daycare worker in Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City who was red-tagged, prompting her to leave her work, while her daughter was a minor aged 16.
Pasaporte said that they will conduct an investigation and file a case against the NPA if it is proven that Cristina’s daughter was a minor.
Major Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) said the encounter was the result of the unending support of the local populace to the Army by giving them accurate and reliable information on the whereabouts of these NPAs.
“With these noteworthy accomplishments, your Army in Western and Central Visayas are glad that we were able to reduce the NPA's strength and firearms,” he added.