A New People’s Army leader and a notorious hitman were killed in an encounter with the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Isabela, Negros Occidental, Wednesday, March 9.
The 62nd Infantry “Unifier” Battalion acting on intelligence reports preempted the planned terroristic acts of more or less 10 members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) that led to the encounter in Brgy Amin, Isabela, the Army reported.
A three-minute firefight ensued and resulted to the death of alleged NPA leader Virgilio Marco Tamban, alias Bedam, commanding officer of the SYP Platoon Lenovo, and one still unidentified rebel.
Seized were a .45 caliber gun and one hand grenade.
The Army said the slain rebels were planning to execute a civilian suspected of being a government informant.
The rebels led by Tamban were the primary suspects in recent killing of Jay Maykel Ledesma at Brgy Macagahay, Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental on March 2; Crish John Guyha in Brgy Luz, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on February 28; Lucio and Tony Perater in their home at Brgy Malangsa, Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental on February 16; and Heide Boca, a former CAFGU, at Brgy Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, on February 19, the Army said.
Lt. Col. William Pesase Jr., 62IB Acting Commanding Officer, said “justice was served to the innocent civilian victims killed by these CPP-NPA terrorists. I commend the bravery of the concerned residents in divulging reliable information to finally stopped the killings.”
“We are calling the remaining NPA members to lay down their arms and avail the government programs, especially the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP. Our government is always ready to accept and provide assistance in order for you to start a normal and peaceful life,” he said.*