• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division will continue its efforts to dismantle terror groups, including the remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Island, its commander, Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, said.
The government troops’ recent armed engagement in Barangay Caduhaan, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental claimed the lives of two regional officials of the NPA Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR- NCBS) and the recovery of high-powered firearms and explosives, among others.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two lives in the recent encounter. Their deaths, caused by a false and misguided ideology, serve as a tragic reminder of the harm the communist insurgency inflicts on our people,” Samson said in a statement.
The two slain rebel leaders were identified as Hans Ponteras, with aliases of Jojo, Hans, Lance and Teddy, who was the sitting secretary of KR-NCBS, and Marissa Pobresa, alias Mia, the regional communications officer.
Samson reiterated the Army’s commitment to ending the violence and ensuring the safety and peace of Negrense communities.
“We will not rest until every Negrense is free from the threat of terrorism and can live in a peaceful, prosperous Negros Island,” he added.
Recovered from the encounter site were an M16 rifle with a defaced serial number, a caliber .45 caliber pistol, a hand grenade, a 40mm rifle grenade, five 40mm high explosive grenades, a short M16 magazine, two .45 caliber pistol magazines, a laptop, a backpack containing personal belongings, a sling bag, and subversive documents.
No casualties were reported on the government side.
In another statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, said: “This engagement is a significant blow to the entire communist terrorist network not only in the Island of Negros, but throughout Western and Central Visayas.”
“The neutralization of their sitting regional front secretary at the same time regional finance officer and their communications officer signals their near decimation,” Calaoagan added. | GB
