• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An alleged New People’s Army couple died on Tuesday, following an armed encounter with Army soldiers in Sitio Nabalas 2, Brgy. Canlusong, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental.
The fatalities were identified by the Philippine Army as Christian Job Joaquin Vargas, alias Nacio, and Mylene Malasabas Salgado, with aliases of Iba, Shien, and Ruth, a former political instructor of Sentro De Grabidad (SDG) Platoon of Central Negros 2 under Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79th Infantry Battalion commander, disclosed that Vargas, who served as former platoon leader of SDG under CN2 and CN3, and Salgado, of Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, were sent by the NPA Regional Operational Command to reinforce the recovery efforts of dismantled Northern Negros Front.
Calaoagan further said that the couple has pending arrest warrants for attempted murder, issued by Himamaylan Regional Trial Court Judge Walter Zorilla.
He added that Vargas also has numerous warrants, for murder cases with no recommended bail, issued by a court in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
Lt. Col. J Jay Javines, Civil Military Operations chief of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said that the encounter between soldiers of the 79th Infantry Battalion and about nine suspected NPA rebels, which lasted about 15 minutes, also led to the recovery of three M16 automatic rifles, an M14 assault rifle, AR 15 semiautomatic rifle, M1 garand rifle, and four rifle grenades.
Javines added that no Army soldiers were hurt, and they are still in pursuit of the fleeing rebels, some of whom are believed to be injured in the gunbattle
The encounter also resulted in the discovery of the harboring site of the fleeing rebels, where some of the firearms, two backpacks, medical paraphernalia, personal belongings, subversive documents, and assorted ammunition were recovered by pursuing Army soldiers.
Two weeks ago, six suspected NPA rebels also died in an encounter with 47th Infantry Battalion soldiers in Brgy. Tabugon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
More of these incidents will come to fore if they remain in the mountains, for even in caves or crevices, they will be hunted, Javines said, apparently referring to NPA remnants, who keep on insisting on armed struggle.
This is not just a “promise,” but a sincere commitment of your Army in Negros to once and for all, put an end to local armed conflict, and make every Negrense enjoy the dividends of peace, he added.*
