NEGROS Occidental – Seven suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a series of gun battles with government troops in the hinterlands of Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City here.
The military operation, which lasted nearly two hours or from 5:30 a.m. to 6:50 a.m. on Sunday morning, April 27, was believed to be linked to election-related activities in preparation for the May 12 midterm elections.
Brigadier General Joey Escanillas, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, confirmed the number of fatalities during a radio interview.
They were identified as Reniel Locsin Cellon, Mary Jane Maguilat, Jhon Isidor Supelanas, and a certain “Pitong,” all from the NPA Southwest Front, as well as Jhunrey Mejares, Glendel Tinio Mejares, and Charity Amacan, from the Southeast Front.
Escanillas said that the military received a tip from local residents about armed men in the area, prompting the Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion to respond.
“As our troops approached the area, the NPA members fired at them, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire,” Escanillas said.
He said the NPA remnants had been in the area conducting what the military believes to be operations tied to their permit to campaign and win (PCW) scheme, a known tactic used by the rebels to extort funds from local politicians during election seasons.
“PCW is the NPA’s way of raising funds through extortion, demanding large sums from candidates who wish to campaign in areas under their influence,” Escanillas explained.
He added: “We are here to stop this illegal practice from continuing, especially with the upcoming elections.”
The military operation also uncovered six M16 assault rifles, one of which was equipped with an M203 grenade launcher.
“We continue to monitor these illegal activities to protect the integrity of the May 12 elections and ensure a peaceful election process,” Escanillas added.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Indiape, chief of the Kabankalan Component City Police Station, confirmed the ongoing clearing efforts at the encounter site.
Escanillas reiterated that the military would continue to safeguard the CHICKS area (Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Candoni, Kabankalan, and Sipalay) to prevent any election-related violence. “We are working with local authorities to ensure that the upcoming elections are not marred by the NPA’s violent and illegal activities,” he concluded./PN
