• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Justice has been served to the victims and their families, following the neutralization of three New People’s Army rebel remnants, who were killed on March 21 in an encounter with Army soldiers in Sitio Santol, Barangay Tampalon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, according to Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
The brief armed engagement led to the killing of Milky “Gorting” Sampini, Ritchie “Makoy” Verano, and Joedil “Junjun” Balsim, and the recovery of one R4 assault rifle, two M16 rifles equipped with M203 grenade launchers, a hand grenade, subversive documents, and the personal belongings of the slain rebels.
Capt. Jessie Jun Ebalan, chief of the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, disclosed that Sampini, Verano, and Balsimo were linked to series of atrocities in the hinterland areas of Kabankalan City, including the murder of Leonara Anguit, 74, and Renante Vedarte, 39, both in Brgy. Tapi, Kabankalan City, whose summary executions were claimed by the NPA Armando Sumayang Command Jr, also known to the military as the dismantled South West Front.
Anguit and Vedarte were both accused by the rebel group as military spies.
In a statement, the 47th Infantry Battalion said they responded to reports of civilians on the presence of about seven remnants of belonging to the dismantled 𝐒outh West Front and Regional Strike Forces of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros in Brgy. Tampalon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
We honor the memory of Nanay Leonora and all victims of NPA atrocities, the 47IB statement said, adding that it remains steadfast in its mission to protect the people, uphold justice, and ensure that those who threaten communities are held accountable.
In another statement, Maj. Gen. Samson commended the successful operations of the 47IB, under the 302nd Infantry Brigade, as he also lauded the vigilance and cooperation of the local populace, whose timely reports greatly contributed to the neutralization of three rebel remnants and the recovery of their firearms.
Samson said the 3ID is not giving rebel remnants a chance to resurge and endanger local communities.
On March 18, the cadaver of suspected NPA member, who was reported to have been injured in a gunbattle with Army soldiers on March 17 in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, was discovered in Sitio Inangaw, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.
Samson called on rebel remnants to abandon the armed struggle and return to mainstream society, to avoid suffering the same misfortune as their comrades.
“The government, through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and Amnesty Program, is ready to help you start anew. This is the path toward healing, reconciliation, and building a better future for yourselves and your families,” he added.*
