LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – A New Peoples' Army (NPA) leader tagged in the murder of a Far Eastern University football player in 2021 was killed in a 30-minute encounter in the mountainous area of Barangay Jagnaan, San Jacinto, Masbate on Saturday afternoon, August 19.
Major Frank Roldan, spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division (ID), identified the fatality as Edison or Eddie "Isoy" Rosero, 44.
Three other NPA rebels were killed in the gunbattle – alias "Star" or "Ates"; Sheryl, 35; Glenda, 46, alias "Jinlyn," 46, and Devina, 51, alias "Teyeng."
Roldan said that Rosero is the commander of Kilusang Larangan Gerilya (KLG) North, Sub-regional Committee (SRC) 4, Bicol Regional Party Committee, which was responsible in the killing of FEU football player Keith Absalon and cousin Nolven on June 6, 2021.
Roldan said at least 20 NPA rebels engaged the 96th Infantry Battalion and Masbate police in a 30-minute gunfight which occurred after residents reported the presence of communist guerrillas in the area.
He said that justice has been served to Keith and Nolven with the death of Rosero.
Recovered in the encounter site were two M-16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, ammunition, and other personal belongings.
Despite this achievement, Roldan said the 9th ID condoles with the family of the slain NPAs and added that Major Gen. Adonis Bajao, 9th ID chief, is urging other communist rebels to surrender and avoid the fate of their comrades.