An alleged member of the New People’s Army died in an encounter with the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army at Crossing Lansang, Brgy. Talaon, La Libertad, Negros Oriental, Monday night, Feb. 10.
The 62nd IB engaged remnants of Central Negros 1- Komiteng Rehiyon- Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor in a three minute firefight during their pursuit operation against the rebels who were responsible for burning heavy equipment in Sitio Manghuya, Brgy. Aya, La Libertad, on Saturday.
The encounter involved four alleged NPA members.
The fatality was identified as Rolito Tanillo alias “Roy/Gamatoy”, a member of the Sangay Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Squad of CN1 KR-NCBS and a resident of Brgy. Talaon, La Libertad.
The Army said they recovered an M-14 rifle at the scene of the encounter.
Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga, 62IB commander, told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that the site of the encounter was adjacent to Barangay Aya where armed men torched heavy equipment on Saturday evening.
The NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command- Central Negros Guerilla Front has claimed responsibility for the burning of two backhoes, a payloader, and a dump truck of the Supreme Mega Structure Builders Inc. owned by Lance Limkaichong.*