ILOILO CITY – A New People’s Army leader and his follower were killed in a clash with the Philippine Army in Leon town, Iloilo province on May 2.

HIGH-POWERED firearms were recovered in an encounter between soldiers and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Leon town, Iloilo province on May 2. (Army 61 IB)
The 61st Infantry Battalion identified the slain NPA rebels as Nahum Camariosa and alias Junjun and Cedrick.
Camariosa, alias Rodel and Bebong, was a high-ranking leader of the NPA Southern Front Committee in Panay Island.
One NPA fatality was initially reported in the encounter with the 61st IB in Barangay Cawilihan at around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.
He was believed to be involved in several encounters in southern Iloilo province. His daughter Rena Rhea died during a February 2024 clash in San Joaquin and three comrades died in Miag-ao town.
Junjun is a member of the Regional Sentro de Gravidad (RSDG).
Aside from the two cadavers of the two NPA rebels, troops also recovered three M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, an AK-47 rifle, and an anti-personnel mine.
The 3rd Infantry Division lauded troops for their achievement and residents for informing the military.
“The residents’ cooperation significantly bolstered our troops’ capability to track the movement and location with precision,” said 3rd ID commander Major Gen. Marion Sison.