Three alleged ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leaders were killed in an encounter with the state troopers at Sitio Natuling, Brgy. Budlasan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, Tuesday, July 26.
Killed were Cristina “Chave” Jacolbe, 40, finance officer of Central Negros 1 (CN1), Rodan “DJ” Montero, 42, Section Guerilla Unit, and Everly Kee “Kaye” Jacolbe, 18, the Army reported.
Government soldiers were patrolling the hinterland area of Brgy. Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, when they received a report about the presence of suspected rebels in the adjacent Brgy Budlasan, the Army said.
When they reached Barangay Budlasan they encountered 10 suspected rebels that led to a 10-minute firefight.
Recovered from the scene of the encounter were a KG-9 with magazine, two .45 caliber pistols with magazines, one .38 caliber revolver, a one gauge shotgun, documents and personal belongings.
Ka Juanito Magbanua, spokesman of the NPA Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, condemned the “massacre” of the three victims in what he called a “fake encounter.”
He claimed Cristina “Chave” Jacolbe, former day care worker and Oplan Sauron target, her `16-year-old daughter Everly Kee and relative Rodan Montero were massacred.
He claimed that the Army “have long been senselessly killing farmers and innocent civilians to increase their NPA death count and make their fake encounters believable.”
Budlasan barangay captain Laurano Jacosalem told DIGICAST NEGROS Cristina Jacolbe, her husband and daughter had joined the rebel movement.*