The New People’s Army central command is believed to have sent Kerima Tariman and her husband to Negros Occidental about two years ago to help revive the weakening rebel movement in the province, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Brigade commander, said Thursday, September 9.
Tariman, 42, was killed in an encounter with the 79th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Kapitan Ramon, Silay City, on August 21.
Tariman, known as alias Ella and Em-Em, was the leader of the NPA Northern Negros Front, and her husband, Emmanuel Acosta, is believed to be a ranking official of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros-Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor, Pasaporte said.
The death of Tariman has affected the rebel movement’s timetable for recovery, knowing that North Negros is the source of their logistical support, he said.
The NPA may be importing leaders from other areas because of the weakening of the movement in Negros or the lack of trust in their local leadership, Pasaporte said.
They expect that the rebels will again resort to extortion activities as the 2022 polls approach, he added.
He reminded candidates not to provide support to the rebel movement, which has been declared a terrorist organization.
Those who provide support for the rebel movement could face charges, he said.*