By Jennifer P. Rendon
At least three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed after an early morning encounter on Feb. 28 in the hinterland village of San Joaquin, Iloilo.
Brigadier General Michael Samson of the 301st Infantry Brigade noted that the identities of the fatalities are yet to be confirmed.
Troops from the 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) engaged around 20 rebels from the Southern Front of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay, led by Nahum Camariosa, alias Bebong, at approximately 3:20 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Torocadan, San Joaquin.
The firefight lasted for 20 minutes before the rebels withdrew to the eastern part of the area, leaving behind their deceased comrades, armaments, and personal belongings.
The military swiftly cleared the enemy camp, spanning an area of about 15,000 square meters, containing ten makeshift tents.
Soldiers retrieved five high-powered firearms, including one AK47 and four M16 Armalite rifles, three bandoleers, a commercial radio, and nine backpacks.
“We have been receiving reports of consistent sightings of armed NPA rebels in the area since early February,” Samson said. He elaborated that the encounter was a result of the 61st IB’s Focused Military Operation (FMO) in response to information provided by concerned residents.
The FMO aimed to preempt the rebels’ plans to conduct terroristic activities in the province and tactical offensives targeting government security forces and government flagship development projects.
Over the weekend, the 61st IB troops confirmed a gathering of about 20 armed rebels at the boundary of Barangays Lomboyan and Torocadan, an area bordering Hamtic in Antique province.
Samson revealed that they conducted air surveillance to pinpoint the exact location of the rebels to assist in directing artillery fires.
“We made sure it was accurate because we don’t want any civilians to be harmed during the operation,” he emphasized.
While the purpose of the rebel consolidation remains unconfirmed, there were speculations that the group might have been selecting a new secretary for the NPA’s Southern Front.
“It’s also possible that they were planning to conduct atrocities or tactical offensives,” Samson suggested, adding, “The consolidation of the communist terrorist group belonging to the SPF KR-Panay posed a significant threat to the peace and stability in the region.”
Samson praised the villagers for providing timely information on the NPA presence.
“The residents are weary of the CNT presence in their villages, which, according to their accounts, has instilled fear in their community for the longest time,” he explained.
He also issued a stern warning to the remaining NPA members who continue to use violence to further their cause.
“It’s never too late to choose the path of peace and return to the fold of the law to be with their families and loved ones. The government welcomes them to reintegrate into society. Otherwise, the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with these NPA rebels,” Samson declared.
