Barangay Salamanca on Monday.*XFM Bacolod photo
Nineteen alleged remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA), including a notorious rebel leader, were killed in a series of encounters with the 79th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, confirmed on Monday, April 20.
The troops of the 79th IB, acting on a tip from residents, encountered the rebels in their temporary encampment at Sitio Sinugmawan, Barangay Salamanca, before dawn on Sunday, he said.
As the rebels tried to escape following the initial gunbattle, which started at about 4 a.m., they were intercepted by blocking forces of the 79th IB, leading to a series of encounters. A pursuit operation eventually led to a final encounter at a fishpond area in Sitio Plaringding, at 3 p.m. where the bodies of the slain rebels were recovered, Dumosmog said.
Among those killed was the long-wanted notorious rebel leader Roger Fabillar, who used the aliases Arnel Tapang, Jhong, Nono, and Domeng, the Army official said.
Dumosmog said stakeholders, including businessmen and members of the private sector who were victims of the group’s extortion, had committed a P2 million reward for his arrest or neutralization.
Fabillar was linked to the summary execution of at least 36 civilians accused of being alleged military informants in northern Negros since 2025. His group was also responsible for burning farm equipment and extortion, Dumosmog said.
Dumosmog described the operation as a major blow to the remnants of the rebel movement in northern Negros, especially with the death of Fabillar.
The number of rebel fatalities was the largest recorded in Negros since the 1990s.
He added that the death of Fabillar represents justice for the many civilians the group had killed.
During the operations, Army soldiers recovered 19 assorted firearms, including M203s, hand grenades, and explosives, Dumosmog said.
One Army soldier, who is currently being treated at a hospital in Bacolod City, sustained two gunshot wounds on his arms.
Personnel of the PNP Scene of the Crime Operatives retrieved the 19 cadavers on Monday for identification purposes.
Meanwhile, Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco reported that 168 families, composed of 653 persons, evacuated from their homes in barangays Salamanca and San Jose in his town for their safety.
As of Monday, they were waiting for clearance from the Army to return to their homes, he said.
Escalante Mayor Melecio Yap added that more than 200 residents living near the boundary of Escalante City and Toboso also evacuated.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said it is sad and unfortunate that fellow Filipinos had to die.
He reiterated his call for the rebels to lay down their arms and avail of government assistance to return to normal lives.
On Saturday an encounter also took place between 15th Infantry Battalion soldiers and three remnants of the dismantled South West Front of Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros in Sitio Lomboy, Barangay Caliling.
Capt. Jessie Jun Ebalan, public affairs chief of the 3rd Infantry Division, said the rebels fled after a 30-minute running gunbattle.
They left behind three backpacks containing a .45 caliber pistol, two rifle grenades, blasting caps for improvised explosive devices, 69 rounds of ammunition for shotguns and M16 rifles, two AK-47 magazines, and two CPP-NPA flags.*
[sibwp_form id=1]