BACOLOD CITY - An alleged notorious and wanted high-ranking official of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros island was killed in a clash with the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) at Sitio Medel, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Monday, Oct. 10, a military report said.
The Army identified the fatality as Romeo Nanta who had several aliases, including ‘Juanito Magbanua,’ ‘Juaning,’ and ‘Jack.’ He was the commander of the Regional Operational Command of the Komiteng Rehiyon–Negros and the spokesperson of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command.
Military troops were conducting pursuit operations in the area, following a series of clashes with NPA rebels since Oct. 6, when they encountered 10 armed men.
This is the fifth encounter recorded since last week in Barangay Carabalan. The firefight lasted for 10 minutes, sending the rebels fleeing and leaving behind Nanta’s body.
According to the Army, Nanta was arrested in 2011 for criminal cases such as murder, frustrated murder, robbery, and damage to properties, but was reportedly able to post bail with the help of front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF) in Negros.
He was allegedly directly and indirectly responsible for the death of soldiers, policemen, members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA), and innocent civilians, the Army said.
He was also linked to the ambush of policemen in Binalbagan early this year.
The Army considered the death of Nanta as a big blow to the NPA, as he was allegedly behind various atrocities to intimidate businesses, quarry operators, contractors, local officials, and agrarian reform beneficiaries in Negros island and carry out extortion demands.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd IBde, said in a statement that Nanta’s death would clearly serve as a reminder that no one can escape the long arm of the law.
It would also serve as justice to innocent civilians tagged as informants to justify their brand of justice and contribute to the collapse of NPA rebels in Negros island, Pasaporte added.
Pasaporte hopes that it would lead to the realization of other members of the NPA that their only option is to return to the fold of law.
Pasaporte commended the relentless efforts of the 94IB headed by Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte in tracking the armed NPA rebels, who have splintered into small groups in the area and eventually catching up the head of the regional operational command of the NPA in Negros island.
On Oct. 8, the 94th IB lost two soldiers in an encounter with the same group in the said village, while six others were wounded.