• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The death toll in the series of armed skirmishes in Visayas has reached 12, as Army soldiers in pursuit of fleeing New People’s Army rebels in San Joaquin town of Iloilo, recovered a cadaver of a suspected rebel, and her injured companion, on February 29.
In a statement issued by the Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade, the slain rebel was identified as Rena Rhea Camariosa, alias Kira, while the injured amazon was Rosel Nabua Esmediana, alias Michelle and Poleen, deputy secretary of the Southern Panay Front, under Komiteng Rehiyonal Panay.
Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, commander of the Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade, disclosed that the two rebel amazons were abandoned by their fleeing comrades.
The medical treatment of Esmediana was facilitated by the 61IB, following her discovery at the encounter site, according to the 301st Infantry Brigade.
The encounter on Feb. 28 between about 20 armed members of the Southern Panay Front under Nahum Camariosa and 61st Infantry Battalion soldiers, at a forested area of Brgy. Torocadan in San Joaquin town of Iloilo, led to the death of three suspected rebels, and the recovery of four M16 assault rifles and an AK 47 rifle, among other war materials.
Two of the slain rebels were identified by the Philippine Army as Jeniel Estoque, alias Jabjad and Fritz, of Igbaras, Iloilo, and Mario Reovoca, alias Mike and Jaguar, of Sebaste town, Antique.
The encounter also led to the seizure of a rebel camp abandoned by the group of Camariosa, who was thought to be responsible for the death of Negrense soldier, PFC Rodelo Alfanza, following an encounter on January 17 in Barangay Igpaho, Tubungan, Iloilo, according to the 301st Infantry Brigade.
On Feb. 21, three rebels also died in an encounter with 79th Infantry Battalion soldiers in Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Twenty firearms were recovered in the nine encounters between 79IB soldiers and remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front, on Feb. 21, 22 and 27.
On Feb. 23, five suspected NPA rebels also died in an encounter with 47th Infantry Battalion soldiers in Bilar town of Bohol.
In a statement, Visayas Command chief Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said they will never hesitate to use their full force against NPA remnants in the Visayas.
“The choice is in their hands. Either they heed the continuous call of the government to return to the folds of the law and grab the opportunity to live a peaceful life, or suffer the same fate as their fallen comrades.” Arevalo said.*
