BACOLOD CITY – Police have identified the three casualties believed to be New People’s Army (NPA) in a clash in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental over the weekend.
Capt. Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson of Negros Occidental police, said the first casualty that was identified was Jomarie Calumba, 47, of Barangay Oringao.
Catalogo said that Calumba’s remains were claimed by his wife on Monday, Feb. 6.
On the same day, the second casualty to be identified was Jun Jun Callete, 42, of Tayasan, Negros Oriental. His remains were claimed by his mother, according to Catalogo.
The following day, the third casualty was identified by his son as Diomedes Lasida, 70, of Barangay Pinggot, Ilog, Negros Occidental, according to Catalogo.
The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) has tagged these casualties as NPA rebels following two clashes with their group in Barangay Oringao on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5, as a result of which around more than 800 residents were displaced.
Catalogo said that Lasida’s son alleged that they have not seen their father since January 2019, and they have no idea where he went after he left their house.
Catalago said that Calumba’s wife denied the Army’s allegation on her husband.
He said that police will probe the claims of these families.