NPA rebel killed in Negros Oriental clash

BACOLOD CITY – A New People’s Army rebel was killed in an encounter with the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Talaon, La Libertad, Negros Oriental on Monday night, Feb. 10.

HEAVY equipment torched by the New People’s Army in La Libertad, Negros Oriental. (Photo via 62nd IB)

The casualty was identified as Rolito Tanillo, alias Roy and Gamatoy, a resident of Barangay Talaon, La Libertad and an alleged member of the Sangay Yunit Propaganda (SYP) Squad, Central Negros 1 (CN1)-Dismantled (D), Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS).

The military was pursuing communist rebels responsible for the burning of heavy equipment in Sitio Manghuya, Barangay Aya, La Libertad on Saturday night, Feb. 8, when they engaged Tanillo’s group. 

The body of Tanillo was left behind by his comrades fleeing from the encounter site. 

Soldiers coordinated with La Libertad Municipal Police Station and the town rescue team for the retrieval of his cadaver.  Recovered from the encounter site was an M14 rifle with defaced serial number. 

No soldier was wounded in the gunbattle. Additional forces were deployed to reinforce pursuing troops.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command-NPA has admitted burning the heavy equipment – a dump truck, a road roller, and two backhoes – being used in the construction of a farm-to-market road that they said would pave the way for mining companies to operate and commercial reforestation projects that would displace individuals living in the mountains.