By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Six members of an alleged New People’s Army (NPA) squad were killed following a clash at Barangay Tabugon in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City on Thursday night, September 21.
The fatalities, who were allegedly from Squad 2 of Sangay Yunit Propaganda Platoon 3, were identified as Alejo “Peter/Bravo” de los Reyes, the alleged NPA squad leader; his wife Melissa “Diane” de la Peña; Marjon “Kenneth” Alvior, Squad 2 vice leader; Bobby “Recoy” Pedro, Squad 3 vice leader; and Mario “Reco/Goring” Fajardo Mullon, Squad 1 medic.
The sixth was identified as tricycle driver Ruben dela Cruz Gaitan, 30 years old, a resident of the village’s Purok Lubi.
Their bodies were brought to a funeral home in the locality.
Gaitan’s remains had already been claimed by his wife, Ariel.
In an interview with Radyo Bandera Sweet FM Kabankalan yesterday, Gaitan’s wife denied that her husband was a member of the communist insurgents.
She claimed that Gaitan was an employee of the Southern Negros Development Corporation.
When not operating his tricycle, he also works as a construction worker, she said.
In a statement, Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, General Joey Escanillas, said the 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) was conducting security operations when they encountered the alleged NPA members riding on a tricycle in Sitio Lubi at 7:50 p.m.
The squad fired at them first, prompting the military to return fire, killing them on the spot.
The gun battle lasted for at least five to 10 minutes.
Authorities recovered four .45 caliber pistols, a .38 caliber revolver, a fragmentation grenade, gadgets, subversive documents, and personal belongings from the encounter site.
Major General Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander, said the encounter was a “big blow to the communist-terrorist group in Negros Island and brings them closer to becoming inconsequential.”
“We are again calling on the remaining NPA rebels to return to the fold of the law, avail themselves of the government’s program, and live peacefully with their loved ones,” Sison said.
The 3ID said the alleged NPA squad was behind the killing of military personnel in Cauayan town and Sipalay City two years ago.
Corporal Alaster Balboa and Sergeant Jhoem Meguillo of the 15IB were killed at Barangay Yao-yao’s Sitio Cambaga in Cauayan in April 2021.
Sergeant Regie Glindro and Staff Sergeant Ken Camilan from the 47IB were waylaid at Barangay Camindangan’s Sitio Camboguiot in Sipalay.
On the other hand, Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda expressed sadness over the incident.
“I’m greatly saddened about what happened. I hope that we can unite in peace and development and incidents like this will not happen anymore,” Miranda said in a radio interview./With reports from PNA / DGB, WDJ