ILOILO CITY – A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel is the second casualty in an encounter on September 19 with the 82nd Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army in Lambunao, Iloilo.
The NPA rebel was identified as Jemar Diaz, a resident of Tapaz, Capiz.

THE body of a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel killed in an encounter with soldiers in Lambunao, Iloilo on September 19. (Lambunao PNP)
The first casualty was Private First Class Mars Echeverria of the 82 IB. His colleague, Private First Class Joemarie Lleses, was wounded.
“Diaz was found almost two kilometers from the clash site,” said Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID).
Soldiers from the 82nd IB were in Sitio Agdalusan, Barangay Jayobo responding to reports of alleged extortion by NPA rebels when the clash occurred.
Troops and 10 NPA rebels exchanged gunfire for around 20 minutes until the communist guerrillas withdrew.
Javines said they surmised that Diaz was initially wounded and his comrades carried him on an improvised stretcher but left him when Echeverria died.
Diaz is believed to be from the Baloy Platoon of the NPA Central Front Committee in Panay.
Mayor Reynor Gonzales of Lambunao ordered the suspension of classes in the area surrounding the clash site for the safety of students.