The alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebel who was killed in an encounter in Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, has been identified.
He is Mario Catacio, alias Malot, of Sitio Angalan, Barangay Quintin Remo, the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion reported on Friday, April 5.
Catacio was identified by his family, Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga III, 62IB acting commanding officer, said.
Catacio’s mother said that the victim had already surrendered in 2023 and was just alleged to still be an active member of the NPA.
Army and Negros Occidental Police Mobile Force Company troopers encountered remnants of NPA’s Central Negros 1 in Sitio Angalan and Sitio Saksak in Barangay Quintin Remo on Thursday.
They recovered a KG9 sub-machine gun, one rifle grenade, medical paraphernalia, magazines with ammunition, personal belongings, and subversive documents from Catacio, the 62 IB reported.
Catacio was allegedly involved in a shooting incident on Aug. 6, 2023, at Sitio Inarawis, Barangay Quintin Remo, that resulted in the death of Benitez Juanites, a 28-year-old laborer, the 62IB reported.
The Moises Padilla Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF ELCAC) chaired by Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo provided Catacio’s family cash assistance, food packs and free funeral services.*