By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The New People’s Army (NPA) fighter who was killed in an encounter with government forces in Negros Occidental’s Isabela town on Thursday, April 20, has been identified by the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB).

The killed insurgent was Rogelio “Poten” Posadas, secretary of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.

Based on information released by the 94IB, Posadas was a notorious NPA leader and had several arrest warrants for murder, kidnapping and extortion.

He is also involved in several other criminal activities in Central Negros.

Lt. Colonel Van Donald Almonte, 94IB commander, said Posadas along with the other 20 NPA members initially planned to attack a detachment of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit in Isabela town.

However, their plans were foiled after they received a tip off that Posadas’ unit extorting from the locals, which prompted the 94IB to conduct a security patrol and ultimately led to the gun battle.

Almonte is again appealing to the remaining NPA fighters to abandon their senseless armed struggle and avail of the government’s programs, saying it is never too late for them to choose peace and to work towards a better future for themselves, their family and their community./DGB, WDJ