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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 2 NPA rebels slain in Leyte clash -- Army

2 NPA rebels slain in Leyte clash -- Army

Published Feb 10, 2024 03:48 am
leyte.jpg
(Courtesy of 802nd Infantry Brigade / Facebook)

(Updated)

Two alleged New People's Army (NPA) rebels who were tagged in the killing of their former comrades who surrendered to the government died in an encounter with Philippine Army (PA) troops in Albuera, Leyte on Saturday morning, Feb. 10.

Colonel Louie Dema-ala, Army spokesperson, said that personnel of the 93rd Infantry Battalion (93IB) under the operational control of 802nd Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry Division (8ID) were conducting security operations in Brgy. Tinag-an when they encountered remnants of NPA's Platoon 2 of the Island Committee Levox, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

The clash occurred at 7:23 a.m. and slain were Rolando Caballera alias "Chow / Brooks", and Crispulo Agunos Jr. alias "Brix / Maniwang / Alex / Jun / Darwin."

Meanwhile, Dema-ala said that no one was harmed on the government's side.

According to Lt. Col. Charlie Saclot, battalion commander of the 93rd Infantry Battalion, the troops responded to repeated reports of the civilians regarding the presence of NPA rebels engaged in extortion activities in their community

He revealed that the NPA rebels were planning to liquidate unwary uniformed personnel and former rebels.

"The details and timely information of [NPA] sighted locations, movements and activities provided by civilians enabled our patrolling troops to track their location that resulted to a brief exchange of fire that lasted for about 15 minutes," Saclot said.

After the firefight, the enemies withdrew towards southeast direction, leaving the bodies of their two comrades, he added.

Troops also recovered two M16 rifles and a caliber .45 pistol on site.

Caballera was accused by the 93rd Infantry Battalion of masterminding multiple killings of their former comrades who already surrendered to the government.

He has standing warrants of arrest for 15 counts of murder issued by the Regional Trial Court 8th Judicial Region, Branch 18, in Hilongos, Leyte, according to the military.

"Pursuit operations are ongoing. The Philippine Army condoles with the families of the slain members of the CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines] - NPA who were victimized by wrong ideologies," Dema-ala said.

The Army spokesperson urged the remaining members of the CPP-NPA to "surrender and live a peaceful life with their family."

"The government, thru the NTF-ELCAC [National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict], will ensure their transition and integration back to the communities," Dema-ala noted.

Related Tags

armed conflict insurgency NTF-ELCAC communist groups New People's Army Philippine Army Leyte
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