The Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division neutralized 34 Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) terrorists in the first quarter of 2022, it reported Tuesday, April 19.
Eight of them were killed in encounters, eight were apprehended, 15 surrendered, and three were arrested.
Six of the neutralized personalities are top leaders of the NPA terrorist organization, the 3ID press release said.
The 3ID cited the recent death of two still unidentified NPA members in separate encounters in Sitio San Juan, Brgy. Caradio-an, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, and So. Tulong, Brgy Enrique Villanueva, Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on April 14;
Elbert Nicolas Quillano, alias Carding, a SDG Platoon finance officer, and Jessa Luiso Quillano, alias Clean/Js, a medical officer of the same NPA unit, killed in an encounter at Sitio Kulihaw, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on April 1;
Elmer Forro, 52, a leader of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Panay at Sitio Bangko Barangay Lutac, Cabatuan, Iloilo, who was arrested on March 29, for the crime of murder;
Ramon Patriarca, alias Usting, Baste,Chino, secretary of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, and at the same time deputy secretary KR-N wanted for ten counts of murder case, and Carmen Jonahville Matarlo, alias Loisa and Avon, secretary of RCOMMS, KR-N who were arrested in Brgy. Suay, Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, on March 18; and
High-ranking NPA leader Virgilio Marco Tamban alias “Bedam “, SYP Platoon Lenovo commanding officer , who died in an encounter in Brgy. Amin, Isabela, Negros Occidental, on March 9.
Also included in the list were Reymart Hilacio Castillo alias Ryan, KR NCBS finance officer, who surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion on February 12, and Arnold Suerte, of CN1, KR NCBS finance officer, who was killed in an encounter at Sitio Manlibod, Brgy Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, on January 15.
Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, attributed the 3ID’s victory to the support and cooperation of the local populace in Western and Central Visayas.
“I would like to commend the dedication and courage of our troops in winning the fight against the CPP-NPA Terrorists and pursuing the fervent desire of the people for genuine peace and development guided by our campaign mantra ‘Loved by the people, feared by the enemy'” Arevalo said.
He reiterated his reminder to the remaining NPAs that they only have three options – to surrender, get arrested or get killed in an encounter.
“You better choose the best option, which is to surrender and avail of the government’s reintegration program and live a normal life with your family,” he added.*