ILOILO – In Barangay Aglonok, Calinog town a suspected high-ranking New People’s Army (NPA) officer was killed, and a Philippine Army soldier was injured.
The encounter, which took place on Monday, Aug. 5, at approximately 10:38 a.m., involved troops from the 12th Infantry Battalion (IB) verifying reports of armed individuals in the area, believed to be part of the NPA’s weakened Central Front in the Komiteng Rehiyon – Panay (KR-P).
The deceased has been identified as Benjamin Cortel, known by the aliases Mamang and Amor, who allegedly served as the Political Officer of RHQ, KR-P.
Cortel, a resident of Barangay Cochero, Molo, Iloilo City, was married to Lenilyn Custorio Jaynos, a suspected former KR-Panay Finance Officer who was apprehended in September 2022.
The wounded soldier, a Staff Sergeant of the 12th Infantry Battalion, sustained a minor eye injury from shrapnel. His name has not yet been released.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Vicel Jan Garsuta of the 12th IB, the firefight lasted about 15 minutes, leading the rebels to flee the site.
“The encounter was intense, as the rebels were caught off-guard by our presence. We believe there were more injured on their side, as evidenced by blood trails at their withdrawal path,” said Garsuta.
Army troops recovered several high-powered firearms and extensive war materials from the encounter site, including M16 and M14 rifles, an AK-47, an Ultimax 100 light machine gun, M203 grenade launcher, and various ammunitions and electronic devices. Subversive documents and medical supplies were also seized.
Major General Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, commended the cooperative efforts of the troops and local community.
“Our resolve remains firm in dismantling the NPA’s last guerrilla front in Panay. With ongoing support from the local populace, we are making significant strides towards achieving stable internal peace and security on the island,” said Sison.
Furthermore, Sison urged remaining NPA members to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s reintegration program to avoid further casualties and reintegrate into society peacefully./PN
