BACOLOD City – The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) has lost yet another squad leader in Negros Island after a clash with soldiers of the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) in Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Tuesday morning.
In a report on Wednesday, the 15IB identified the fatality as Celso Tribunalo, 62, a resident of Sitio Ulomhon in Barangay Yao-Yao of the same town in southern Negros.
Also known as “Larry,” “Jimlo” and “Greg”, he was the leader of Squad 2, Platoon 2, Sentro de Grabidad (SDG), and a member of Platoon 3 of the NPA’s South West Front.
Lt. Col. Michael Cuarteros, commanding officer of 15IB, said his men, who were conducting sustained community support program operations in Barangay Caliling, responded to the reported presence of fully armed men in the community.
The encounter led to a 15-minute firefight, leaving Tribunalo dead and his comrades fleeing for safety.
During the clearing operations, troops recovered an M4 rifle with magazines and ammunition, food items, and personal belongings.
“The support of civilians, by providing accurate information on the whereabouts of armed groups that resulted in an encounter, demonstrates their total trust and support in the government’s efforts to end local communist armed conflict,” Cuarteros said.
Tribunalo was among the NPA squad and platoon leaders neutralized during a series of encounters in Negros Island since March.
On April 14, alias Johnny, leader of Squad 1, SDG Platoon of the Central Negros Front 2, died after engaging the troops of 94IB in Barangay Caradio-an, Himamaylan City.
On the same day, Jonard Salo, leader of Team 2 of the South East Front remnants, was killed in a clash with 11IB soldiers in Barangay Enrique Villanueva, Sibulan town.
On April 1, Elbert Quillano, leader of SDG Platoon of Central Negros Front 2, died during an encounter with 94IB troops in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City.
Virgilio “Kumander Bedam” Tamban, commanding officer of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda Platoon Lenovo, lost his life while fighting troops of 62IB in Barangay Amin, Isabela town on March 9.
“We extend our condolences to the bereaved families of NPA terrorists who died fighting for a meaningless cause. May this latest incident serve as a wake-up call to all who still refuse to surrender,” Cuarteros said.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The National Democratic Front (NDF) has also been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
