BACOLOD CITY: Two key remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in central Negros died in a clash with troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday.
In a report, the 94IB identified the fatalities as Joan Lacio “Mark” Encarnacion, 31; and Jolina “Chloe” Martinez Sergio, 30, vice commanding officer and political instructor, respectively, of Central Negros 2, Sentro de Grabidad Platoon.
“They are a couple who were married by the rebel movement,” Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, public affairs division chief of 3rd Infantry Division, told the Philippine News Agency on Friday.
The couple, who are residents of Sitio Cantupa, were married in 2017 in Sitio Bunsad, Barangay Buenavista.
They were wanted for attempted murder and homicide, according to the 94IB.
Their group was allegedly extorting from sugarcane farmers, project workers and quarry operators in their area of operation.
The 94IB report said after the troops were informed by
residents about the rebels’ presence in Sitio Pisok, they conducted a security patrol that resulted in a gunbattle with a group of five NPA rebels at around 8:40 a.m.
Three others fled, leaving behind the bodies of their two comrades along with an M16 rifle and an M14 rifle, both with magazines and assorted rounds of live ammunition.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Ziegfred Tayaban, commanding officer of 94IB, said joining the communist rebel movement “only leads to a life of exploitation and terror”.
“There is no honor in aligning with a group that undermines and oppresses communities,’ he said.
He said the 94IB will coordinate with the local government unit and the families of the two NPA rebels for the burial arrangements.
Relentless drive
Following the NPA’s recent defeats in Western Visayas, the Philippine Army (PA) said it would continue to swoop down on remaining insurgents.
“Yes, they are declining. Nonetheless, the PA is committed to sustaining our gains against this terrorist group. There will be no
let up on our focused military operations to put into justice the remaining members of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA,’ Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said in an interview Friday.
He added the NPA’s force is dwindling ‘not only in Visayas but also in other regions’.
The death of Encarnacion and Sergio came just a week after three ranking leaders of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon Panay – Vicente Hinojales, Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala and Vivian Teodosio – were killed in a series of encounters with government forces in Lambunao, Iloilo on Aug. 15.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año earlier said the NPA’s force is now down to five weakened guerrilla fronts.
This is lower than the seven weakened guerrilla fronts reported by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in its first semester report.
Source: Philippines News Agency