Police intensify checkpoints in Kabankalan City following encounter that left seven rebels dead.*Romeo Subaldo photo
The encounter in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday that left seven alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels dead will not affect the May 12 polls in Negros, a Commission on Elections official assured on Monday, April 28.
The Army informed him that the death of the seven rebels in Barangay Tapi has in fact reduced any NPA threat in the area, Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec-Negros Island Region director, said.
“The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army have assured that, as of now, there is no evidence suggesting the NPA intends to disrupt the elections,” he said.
There are also no voting centers in the area where the encounter occurred, Castillano said.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he was informed that the seven who were killed were remnants of the NPA.
The governor reiterated his call to the remaining rebels to lay down their arms and join the government. The provincial government has taken part in the rehabilitation of former rebels who have surrendered by giving them assistance for their livelihood, he said.
Meanwhile, the police have intensified checkpoints in Kabankalan City to maintain peace and order as the elections near, PCapt. Sammy Gasataya, Kabankalan deputy police chief, said.
Relatives of the slain rebels had started claiming their bodies on Monday.
Killed in the encounter with soldiers from the Army’s 11th, 15th and 47th Infantry Battalions were Jhonrey Meijares alias Jai/JR – political instructor/political guide; Glendel Tinio Mejares alias Ayin – medical officer; and Charity Amacan alias Cha/Leah – squad leader/former secretary of the NPA’s South East Front;
Reniel Locsin Cellon alias Kumpol/Adie – squad leader and former commanding officer; Mary Jane Maguilat, alias Shonie/Chinchin/Shedi – vice squad leader; Jhon Isidor Supelanas alias Dalia – political instructor; and alias Pitong – medical officer, all of the South West Front, Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon, Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said
Recovered from them were six M-16 rifles, one of which was equipped with an M-203 grenade launcher, one KG9 submachine gun, and other war materials, Lamzon also said.*