• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The long arm of the law caught up with two New People’s Army rebels, who were among those involved in the ambush and killing of an Army soldier two years ago, in Yaoyao, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, disclosed regional Army spokesman Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines yesterday.
The two New People’s Army rebels recently killed in the same barangay were among those who participated in the ambush and killing of Army Sgt. Jhoerum Meguillo on April 3, 2021, Javines said.
The government-issued .45 caliber pistol assigned to Meguillo was among the three firearms recovered by 15th Infantry Battalion soldiers during the encounter, he confirmed.
Javines identified the two slain rebels through their aliases, Christian and Omar.
Other members of the NPA killed in a Kabankalan encounter last month were also tagged by the Philippine Army as those responsible for the death of two Army soldiers in Brgy. Camindangan, Sipalay City, in previous months, following the recovery of the firearm issued to the late Sgt. Regie Glendro, a member of the 47th Infantry Battalion.
Lt. Col. Michael Cuarteros, 15IB commander, said they will continue their focused military operations against the remnants of the South West Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor.
Of the eight neutralized NPA remnants, Javines disclosed that two had been killed in two encounters in Cauayan on November 7, while six others surrendered to the 15th and 94th Infantry Battalions on Nov. 5 and 8, respectively.
In the Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City encounter, Javines said the 94IB recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition, including three M16 assault rifles, two M14 automatic rifles, an M653 assault rifle, and an M1 garand rifle, among other war materials.
Aside from the caliber .45 pistol, the encounter in Brgy. Yaoyao, Cauayan, also resulted in the recovery of an M653 assault rifle, M14 automatic rifle, and anti personnel mine with a blasting cap.
Javines said the series of encounters in Negros Occidental took place as Maj. Gen. Marion Sison ordered 3ID troops to deny breathing space for the NPA remnants to regroup and recover from their debacles.
The 3ID infantry units in Negros and Panay have been ordered to double their efforts to dismantle the four remaining NPA guerilla fronts, in order for the two islands be declared as insurgency free.*
