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NPA leader killed in Leyte clash

Philippines | Visayas

NPA leader killed in Leyte clash

By Marie Tonette Marticio

TACLOBAN CITY – A New People’s Army leader and two others were killed in an encounter with soldiers in Barangay Cogon, Carigara, Leyte, on Wednesday, June 18.

The casualties were identified as Juanito Sellesa Jr., alias Tibor, an executive member of the Island Committee (IC) Levox Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC); Eugene Paclita, leader of Squad 2, IC Levox, and Lito Delante, a member of Squad 2, IC Levox.

Troops of the 93rd Infantry “Bantay Kapayapaan” Battalion recovered an M16 rifle with two long magazines, one caliber .45 pistol with two magazines, one hand grenade, personal belongings, and subversive documents in the encounter site.

Sellesa and his group were wanted for the murder of civilian Jesus Sarcilla in Barangay Binibihan, Carigara, on Dec. 7, 2021.

Sarcilla was killed in front of his daughter despite having offered food and shelter to the communist rebels.

A case has been filed against Sellesa's group for violating International Humanitarian Law before the Commission on Human Rights-Region 8.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, lauded the successful operation that gave justice to the death of Sarcilla.

Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander, 8th Infantry Division, condemned NPA atrocities and urged the people to remain firm in their support for the government.

Related Tags

NPA New People\'s Army Carigara Leyte Encounter

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