The Army’s 3rd Infantry “Spearhead” Division (3ID) said on Monday, March 23, that the three rebels killed in an encounter in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, were high-ranking remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA).
The rebels killed during a clash with troops from the 47th Infantry (Katapatan) Battalion in Sitio Santol, Barangay Tampalon, on Saturday were remnants of the dismantled NPA South West Front and the Regional Strike Force (RSF) under Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, the 3ID said in a statement.
The 3ID identified the slain rebels as Ritchie Verano (alias Makoy and Akiro), 26, the vice commander of the NPA Regional Striking Force (RSF) and a resident of Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City; Milky Sampini (alias Gorting), 27, the RSF finance and logistics officer and a resident of Brgy. Lamugong, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental; and Joedil Balsimo (alias Junjun and Cairo), estimated to be 25–30 years old, who served as an RSF squad leader and resided in Sitio Tigbao, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City.
The remains of the fatalities are currently at Sola Gracia Funeral Homes in Kabankalan City, pending proper documentation and coordination with their respective families, the 3ID said.
Maj. Gen. Michael G. Samson, 3ID commander, said that the slain rebels were all high-ranking leaders involved in a series of killings across Negros.
Justice has prevailed, he said, pointing out that they “were behind the brutal killings of civilians in Negros”.
The Army, in close coordination with other security forces, will continue to relentlessly pursue the remaining communist terrorists who persist in committing crimes against the people, he said.
“While we stand firm in our resolve to eradicate their violent ways, our call remains unwavering: lay down your arms, renounce violence, and embrace the path of peace, reconciliation, and healing through the government’s E-CLIP and Amnesty Program,” Samson said.*
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