The Visayas Command (Viscom) said yesterday the New People’s Army (NPA) in Central and Western Visayas is now left without a head following the death of their top leader, Rogelio Posadas.

Posadas died in an armed encounter with troops of the 94th and the 62nd Infantry Battalions (IB) on the boundaries of Isabela and Binalbagan towns in Negros Occidental on Thursday, April 20.

In a statement, Viscom said the death of Posadas left the NPA, the Communist Party of the Philippines’ armed wing, and the National Democratic Front (NDF) operating in Negros Island, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor “leaderless” and will no longer have “clear operational direction on the ground.”

Posadas’ death will further contribute to the leadership vacuum that the organization has been suffering, Viscom added.

“Justice is served to Mr. Posadas! The CPP-NPA-NDF can never run away from the atrocities that they have committed against our country and people. Sooner or later the long arm of the law will be able to catch up with them,” Viscom said.

Posadas, who carried the alias “Putin,” is the top leader of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor and secretary of the Unified Regional Committee for Negros Island, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.

The military has tagged him responsible for various atrocities and illegal activities in the region, including assassinations, extortions, kidnappings, arsons, and other forms of violence against innocent civilians and government personalities.

The 303rd Infantry Brigade said Posadas’ body was positively identified through the help of informants and former rebels who had surrendered to 94IB.

Posadas’ death came less than a year after Juanito Magbanua, the NPA regional commander in Negros island, was also killed in a clash with the 94IB in October 2022.

Viscom urged the remaining members of the communist rebels in Central and Western Visayas regions to surrender and “return to the fold of the law while there is still time.” (PNA)