TACLOBAN CITY – A New People's Army (NPA) leader was killed in an encounter with the 78th Infantry Battalion in Barangay San Gabriel, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Saturday, January 6.
The 8th Infantry Division identified the fatality as Martin Colima, alias “Maki,” “Seloy,” “Badong,” and “Antos,” secretary of the Sub-Regional Committee-Sesame, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
The Army seized a caliber .45 pistol and seven backpacks in the encounter site in the hinterlands of Borongan.
Colima's group operated in the tri-boundaries of Pinabacdao, Calbiga, and Basey in Samar and the province of Eastern Samar.
He was the alleged mastermind and one of the perpetrators of the ambush in Barangay Libuton, Borongan on December 13, 2019 in which a policeman and three civilians were killed and 12 others, including three minors, were wounded.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, condoled with the family of Colima.
"In as much as we in the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade had addressed the concerns of the people of Borongan City by preventing the atrocities being planned by the communist-terrorist group, and in insulating their communities from Colima's group, I am saddened of the death of another fellow Filipino," Vestuir said.
He appealed to Colima’s family to claim his remains in Barangay San Mateo, Borongan to give him a decent burial once the process for his identification is completed.
Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the Army 8th Infantry Division, in an interview last year, said the remaining members of the NPA were on the verge of collapsing due the demise, capture, and surrender of its top leaders in Eastern Visayas.
Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma were reportedly killed when a boat carrying 10 NPA rebels exploded in Catbalogan City, Samar on August 22, 2022.
Benito was the chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).