• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The families of three of the seven New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed in a series of armed encounters with Army soldiers in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental have claimed the remains of their kin on Sunday.
Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, disclosed on Monday that the cadavers of Mary Jane Maguilat, alias Chin Chin, and her husband, Reniel Cellon, known as Ka Kumpol, and Charity Amaca, alias Cha and Leah, were claimed by their families at a funeral parlor in Kabankalan City.
Maguilat was the former secretary of the South East Front (SEF); Cellon, a former commander of the SEF armed unit; while Amacan formerly served as secretary of the South West Front (SWF); according to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
Their respective positions have been downgraded to squad leaders after the dismantling of their respective guerilla fronts, Escanillas said.
A civilian used as a human shield by the rebels was also injured in the skirmish, according to the military.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the death of seven rebels is a message for the NPA remnants to surrender and return to a normal life.
Lacson said the provincial government of Negros Occidental plays a major role in changing the lives and the rehabilitation of former rebels, by providing them with financial and livelihood assistance, under its “Balik Salig “program.
This is on top of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), where former rebels are given additional financial and livelihood aid.
The Kabankalan encounter also claimed the lives of Jhonrey Mejares and Jhon Isidor Supelanas, both political instructors of the two dismantled guerilla fronts; Glendel Mejares or alias Ayin, a deputy of Amaca; and alias Pitong, who served as medical officers, of both SEF and SWF, which are supervised by the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, whose acting secretary, Hans Ponteras, died in an encounter with Army soldiers in Cadiz City on March 8.
Major General Michael Samson, 3ID commander, urged the remaining NPA rebels to abandon the armed struggle and take the path toward peace.
“To those who remain in the armed movement, you are not only risking your own lives, but also compromising the safety and future of your families and communities,” Samson said.
“The door to peace remains open—surrender now, while you still have the chance,” he added.*
