TACLOBAN CITY – The 8th Infantry Division said two of the six New People’s Army rebels killed in an encounter in Barangay Paco, Las Navas, Northern Samar on Monday were top leaders of the Subregional Committee Emporium of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/12/2/6-npa-rebels-killed-in-northern-samar-clash
THE remains of six communist rebels killed in an encounter in Northern Samar are stored in body bags prior to airlifting by government troops.
The casualties were identified as Ariel Baselga, alias Aries and Polly; Renar Diaz, alias Beloy and Monmon; Rey Tafalla, alias Bunso; James Arandia, alias Taying; Maricar Asinas, alias Ikar, and an alias Kagid. Their identities were confirmed by their former comrades.
Baselga was the secretary of SRC Emporium. He directed the operations of SRC Emporium, enforced the orders of the EVRPC, and authorized tactical offensives in Northern Samar.
Diaz was the vice commander of the subregional operations command of the SRC Emporium. He was responsible for planning and supervising the tactical operations of NPA units under SRC Emporium.
Their bodies were airlifted by Air Force helicopters following the encounter and were processed for their families.
The Joint Task Force Storm and 8th ID commander, Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, condoled with the families of the fatalities.
Orio reiterated the Army’s commitment to upholding dignity and respect, even for adversaries.
“It is saddening to see fellow Filipinos deceived by the false ideologies of communist terrorists meet such a tragic end."
Recovered in the encounter were four firearms, grenade, assorted ammunition, cell phones, and notes.