CEBU CITY – The six members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) killed in an encounter with government troops in Bilar town, Bohol on Thursday morning have been identified.
The fatalities were identified as Jingler Compoc, alias “Keth,” from Bilar, Bohol; Ruben Nabas, alias “Bogs,” from Batuan, Bohol; Nelson Lumantas, alias “Brando,” from San Miguel, Bohol; Rogelio Jorillo, alias “Tacoy,” from Minglanilla, Cebu; Zusimo Estaniola, alias “Emoy,” from Catigbian, Bohol; and a certain “Okloy.”
HIGH-POWERED firearms were among the items seized after an encounter between communist rebels and government troops on Thursday morning, September 8, in Bilar, Bohol. (Visayas Command)
Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-Central Visayas chief Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, said the fatalities were high-ranking officials of the NPA.
Seven high-powered firearms – five 5.56 AR15 rifles and two AK 47 assault rifles – were seized during the encounter.
In a report by the Philippine News Agency, Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, spokesperson and chief of the Public Affairs Office of the Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division, said Compoc was the alleged vice squad leader of the remnants of the dismantled Bohol Front Committee and son of Domingo Compoc, alias “Commander Cobra,” the alleged guerilla front secretary.
The bodies of Compoc and Nabas have been claimed by their families.
Bilar Mayor Tata Palacio said that at least 42 families or 200 individuals were evacuated as a result of the gunfight.
According to Lt. Col. Israel Galorio, information officer of the Visayas Command (Viscom), the series of encounters started at 7:35 a.m. while joint elements of the 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the 21st Special Forces Company of the 302nd IB were conducting military operations in response to a reported presence of armed men in Sitio Ilaud, Barangay Campagao, Bilar.
Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of Viscom, lauded troops for their "unyielding efforts and compelling urgency to the people's call for peace by intensifying its operations against the NPA terrorists scourging across the Visayas region."
"This latest major setback suffered by the CPP-NPA in the Visayas will further degrade their manpower and armed capability which will lead to the eventual collapse of the terrorist group in the region. As such, we once again reiterate our call to their few remaining members, lay down your arms and return to the folds of the law while you still have the chance. Our efforts will never waver and we will remain highly motivated to end the local communist armed conflict in this part of the country, the soonest possible time,” Arevalo said.