- GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army on Friday, Aug. 23, identified the two New People’s Army rebels killed in a gunbattle in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental as the remaining leaders of the dismantled Central Negros of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor.
In a statement, the 94th Infantry Battalion said the slain rebels were identified as Joan Lacio Encarnacion, with aliases of Mark and Covid, vice commanding officer of the Sentro de Grabidad Platoon, and Jolina Martinez Sergio, known as alias Chloe, political officer of the Sentro de Grabidad Platoon.
Lt. Col. Ziegfred Tayaban, 94IB commander, said that both are facing multiple crimes such as murder, attempted murder and homicide.
Tayaban said the five-minute encounter ensued after sugarcane farmers, quarry operators and victims of extortion activities reported their presence to Army soldiers, who were patrolling the area in Sitio Pisok, Barangay Buenavista on Aug. 22.
Army soldiers also recovered an M16 assault rifle with two magazines containing ammunition, an M14 rifle with ammunition, a bandoleer and a backpack containing personal belongings.
Tayaban said that their cadavers will be accorded with a proper burial in coordination with the local government, and their families will receive the necessary support. | GB
