BY RUBY SILUBRICO and RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) died in an encounter with the Philippine Army on Saturday, Nov. 26, in Barangay Tigbanaba, Igbaras town.
Domingo Tagapolan Costas, 47, and a resident of Barangay Dalije, Miag-ao, Iloilo, was a member of the NPA’s Team 1, Squad 1, of Suyak Platoon, Southern Front Kometing Rehiyon Panay, led by Jun Capio, authorities said.
He was positively identified by his live-in partner.
According to Police Lieutenant Rodel Pasion, Igbaras police chief, Costas’ live-in partner believed he tried to surrender several times but was stopped by his fellow NPA members.
The encounter against at least 10 armed men happened at 5:40 a.m. while members of the 61st Infantry Battalion were patrolling. It lasted for around 20 minutes.
Recovered from the crime scene were two M16A1 rifles, an AK-47 rifle, one M203 grenade launcher, a rifle grenade, ammunition, improvised explosive device (IED) paraphernalia, other war materials, assorted food packs, assorted medical supplies, and subversive documents.
“No casualties on the part of the Army… The crime scene was a far-flung village and we needed to walk more than an hour to reach the area,” Pasion said.
Major General Benedict Arevalo, Philippiner Army’s 3rd Infantry Division commander, conveyed low spirits because of the death.
“As much as possible, we want to make them realize that joining armed struggle is not the answer to attain peace, and we don’t want another victim and lives to be wasted. We are so much concerned for their families suffering their loss,” Arevalo said.
He also reiterated his call to the remaining NPA members to lay down their arms to avoid the same fate as their comrades and avail themselves of the government’s programs intended for them.
Arevalo also assured that the military has intensified its security operations to uphold peace and security in the said area and the province of Iloilo./PN
