BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO – The Philippine Army has identified the five New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed in clashes on August 7 and 8 in Barangay Aglonok, Calinog and Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao.
The 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division said the five were high-ranking and operated throughout Panay Island.
Aurelio Berjes Bosque, 57, was a resident of Barangay Carvasana, Calinog. Known by aliases including Burnok and Boy, he was a member of the Regional Headquarters Executive Command of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP-NPA) in Panay Island and had formerly served as a spokesperson for Bayan Muna-Panay.
His death is regarded as a major setback for the insurgent group in the region.
Jovelyn Silverio, also known as Darlyn, was a resident of Barangay Patria, Pandan, Antique. She had served as Platoon Supply Officer for the Regional Headquarters Force, KR-Panay, and had previously held the position of Political Officer for the now-dismantled Southern Panay Front.
Armando Rogelio Sabares, alias Kamlon, from Barangay Igcaratong, San Joaquin, Iloilo, was noted for his expertise in improvised explosive devices. As the NPA-Panay’s ordnance officer, he faced criminal charges for multiple murders in Antique.
Rumulo Ituriaga Gangoso, known as Reagan, a resident of Sitio Tuwang-tuwangan, Barangay Bungsuan, Dumarao, Capiz, was also among those killed. Formerly commanding the dismantled Eastern Front, KR-Panay, Gangoso had been reassigned due to illness and old age.
The identities of the three out of five casualties were confirmed by three ex-rebels who had previously operated alongside them.
The Philippine Army has described these incidents as crucial victories in their ongoing effort to suppress the insurgency in Panay Island, significantly hobbling the leadership and operational capabilities of the CPP-NPA./PN
