TACLOBAN CITY – Some alleged rebels of the New People’s Army were killed during an encounter in Las Navas, Northern Samar, the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, reported.
The casualties included Ariel Baselga, known by aliases Aries or Polly; Renar Diaz alias Beloy or Monmon; Rey Tafalla alias Bunso; James Arandia alias Taying; Maricar Asinas, alias Ikar; and alias Kagid, all identified by their former comrades.
All were said to be leaders of the sub-regional committee (SRC) Emporium under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) who were among the six NPA rebels killed in an encounter on December 2, 2024, in the hinterlands of Barangay Paco, Las Navas, the division said.
Baselga served as the secretary of SRC Emporium and was said to have directed the operations of their group, enforced the orders of the EVRPC, and authorized tactical offensives in Northern Samar.
Diaz served as the vice-commander of the sub-regional operations command for SRC Emporium. He was responsible for planning and supervising the tactical operations of the armed group under SRC Emporium.
The group were notorious for numerous atrocities in Northern Samar, including extortion, killing of innocent civilians, and terrorizing communities, the 8th ID said.
The Joint Task Force Storm and the 8th Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio extended his deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the encounter while reiterating the Army’s commitment to upholding dignity and respect, even for adversaries.
“It is saddening to see fellow Filipinos deceived by the false ideologies of communist terrorists meet such a tragic end. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to their bereaved families,” Maj. Gen. Orio said in a statement.
“While they were our enemies, we honor their humanity by providing them with a proper and dignified burial. However, this outcome could have been avoided if they had chosen to lay down their arms and surrender,” he added.
The encounter also led to the recovery of four firearms, grenade, assorted ammunition, cell phones, and subversive documents, seized by soldiers from the 19th IB.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
