ORMOC CITY– Two alleged members of the communist group, the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an armed encounter with government troops in a hinterland village of Tinag-an, Albuera in Leyte Saturday (Feb.10).
The alleged rebels, identified as Crispolo Agunos, Jr., and Rolando Caballera, died during a 15-minute firefight, B/Gen. Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, said on Saturday.
The soldiers, belonging to the 93rd Infantry Battalion based in Kananga, Leyte, also recovered two Caliber 5.56 M16 rifles, and one Cal.45 pistol.
According to Vestuir, the soldiers were in the area at about 7:23 am to respond report on the presence of a group of armed men, conducting extortion activity to the villagers.
This resulted in the armed fight with the companions of the two dead rebels leaving them behind, the Army officer said.
Vestuir disclosed that the dead rebels belong to the executive committee of the IC-Levox of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
Caballera, who carried the alias of ‘Chow/Brooks’ had 15 standing warrants of arrest as he was behind on the series of killing incidents involving rebels who surrendered to the government, Vestuir said.
“The death of these two notorious NPA terrorists is a result of the firm resolve and commitment of our people to prevent the recovery efforts of the remnants of IC-Levox in their community,” Vestuir said.
“Through the timely information provided by some residents, we have pinpointed the area where these terrorists hide. Indeed, we attain the situation that the people are inhospitable to these NPA terrorists,” he added.
The remains of the two were brought to the rural health unit of Kananga for their families to collect and give them a proper burial.
Their identities were known through information from the villagers and their former members.(ROBERT DEJON)
