ILOILO – The New People’s Army (NPA) rebel who died in an encounter with Philippine Army soldiers on Monday in Barangay Ongyod, Miag-ao town has been identified.
Vincent “Denden” Yuvero was a 20-year-old resident of Barangay To-og, Miag-ao, according to Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB).
Yuvero was identified by a former NPA colleague, Batara added.
This ex-NPA rebel, Batara said, also confirmed that Yuvero belonged to the Suyak Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay of the NPA.
“Yuvero’s family already claimed his cadaver. Right now we are continuing our hot pursuit operation against his other fleeing companions,” said Batara.
He urged them to surrender.
“We assure their safety,” said Batara.
Government troops and rebels clashed in Barangay Ongyod on Sept. 23, three days after a skirmish there Friday last week.
One Army soldier was wounded. Sergeant Janny Labrador of the 61IB was hospitalized for a gunshot wound on a leg.
After the rebels retreated, soldiers recovered an M16 rifle, antipersonnel mine, medicines, backpacks, kitchen utensils and subversive documents of high intelligence value, according to Captain Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
The 30-minute encounter happened at around 8 a.m. There were an estimated 15 rebels.
“Iniwan nila ang kanilang namatay na kasama para mabilis ang pagtakbo nila,” said Pancito./PN
