TACLOBAN CITY – Two New People's Army leaders were killed in an encounter on Saturday, February 10, in Barangay Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte.
VARIOUS New People's Army equipment were seized in encounter in Albuera, Leyte on Saturday, February 10. (802nd IB photo)
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, identified the fatalities as Rolando Caballera, an executive committee member and a high-value target, and Crispolo Agunos Jr., a member of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
Vestuir said they were killed in a 15-minute firefight with the 93rd Infantry (Bantay Kapayapaan) Battalion responding to reports from civilians regarding the presence of the NPA in the area.
He said they were extorting from civilians and planning to kill unwary uniformed personnel and former rebels.
As a member of the executive committee, Caballera masterminded the killings of former comrades who surrendered to authorities.
He had standing warrants of arrest for various crimes and 15 counts of murder issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 18 in Hilongos, Leyte.
"The death of these two notorious NPA terrorists is a result of the firm resolve and commitment of our people to prevent the recovery efforts of the remnants of IC-LEVOX in their community. Through the timely information provided by some residents, we have pinpointed the area where these terrorists hide. Indeed, we attain the situation that the people are inhospitable to these NPA terrorists," Vestuir said.
He urged families of the slain NPA to claim their remains once their identification is finished to give them a decent burial.
Vestuir said the encounter will lead to more intensified operations against the NPA in Leyte. "We want them to surrender, otherwise, we will hunt them down," he said.
He said that with the death of another top NPA leader in their area of responsibility, it is imminent that the fighters under IC-LEVOX will be demoralized and their will to fight will be weakened.
Troops recovered two caliber 5.56 M16 rifles, one caliber .45 pistol, personal belongings, and subversive documents left behind by the rebels who fled toward the southeast following the gun battle.