ILOILO CITY – A lady leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was among the three casualties in a clash with the 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army in Leon town, Iloilo province on September 29.
The Army identified the slain high-ranking NPA leader as Rebecca Alfaro, alias “Jing,” secretary of the NPA Southern Front Committee in Panay Island.
A BODY bag containing the remains of a slain New People’s Army (NPA) rebel is offloaded from a Philippine Air Force helicopter. Three NPA rebels were killed in clash with the 61st Infantry Battalion (61 IB) of the Philippine Army last week. (Army photo)
Lt. Col. Arturo Balgos Jr., 61st IB commander, said Alfaro planned and implemented several atrocities in Panay Island.
Alfaro was believed to be the brains behind the liquidation of suspected civilian informants and the burning of equipment in Iloilo and Antique province.
She faced a string of cases, including violation of Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and attempted murder using an unlicensed firearm.
The two other slain NPA rebels were identified as Jimmy Macuana, alias “Dennis,” and Gerly Tejeros, alias “Elay.”
Tejeros is facing various criminal charges, including three counts of attempted murder, frustrated murder, and multiple attempted murder.
The hierarchy of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) lauded the 61st IB for the successful anti-insurgency operation in Leon.
“Most importantly, this happened because of the support of the local populace,” said 3rd ID commander Major Gen. Marion Sison.