An alleged remnant of a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) was found dead after being abandoned by his comrades following a brief gunbattle with government troops in Sitio Calambia, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City in Negros Occidental, on Monday, August 17/.
The military identified the casualty as Cristito Nilles Sr.., alias Dagohoy, a member of Squad 2 and commanding officer of Section Guerilla Unit 3 under the dismantled Central Negros 1 (CN1).
The 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) reported that troops were conducting security operations in response to reports of armed elements in the area when CTG remnants opened fire. The ensuing firefight lasted five minutes.
Nilles was reportedly wounded during the exchange of fire and was later abandoned by his fleeing comrades in Sitio Uyangan, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City. Pursuing troops recovered his body during subsequent clearing operations.
Government forces also seized an M-16 rifle, three long magazines, live ammunition, and various personal belongings left behind at the encounter site.
Maj. Gen. Joey A. Escanillas, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division commander, commended the soldiers for the operation and praised local residents for providing timely information regarding the presence of armed rebels.
“We commend our troops for their success, but we continue to call on the remaining CTG members to abandon armed struggle, embrace peace, and return to their families. The government remains ready to assist those who choose to return to the fold of the law,” Escanillas said.*
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