• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Justice has been served to slain Negrense soldier, Private First Class Rodelo Alfanza, following the death of four members of the New People’s Army (NPA) believed to be among those encountered by their unit in Tubungan, Iloilo on Jan. 17.
Alfanza, who hailed from Sagay City, Negros Occidental, was part of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) troopers who clashed with 15 members of Puregold Platoon led by Nahum Camariosa of the NPA Southern Front Committee in Panay Island.
He died while being treated at hospital in Iloilo due to a gunshot injury.
On Feb. 28, the group of Camariosa, estimated to be around 20, engaged 61IB soldiers in a firefight in San Joaquin, Iloilo.
Four rebels died while the soldiers recovered four M16 assault rifles and an AK 47 rifle from the encounter site.
In a statement, the 301st Infantry Brigade (IB) said that the cadaver of Rena Rhea Camariosa, alias Kira, was recovered by soldiers while scouring the encounter site on Thursday (Feb. 29).
They also found the injured amazon identified as Rosel Nabua Esmediana, alias Michelle and Poleen, deputy secretary of Southern Panay Front under Komiteng Rehiyonal Panay.
Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, commander of 301IB, said that the two rebel amazons were abandoned by their fleeing comrades.
The medical treatment of Esmediana was facilitated by the 61IB.
The bodies of the three other slain rebels were discovered at the clash site on Feb. 28, following the seizure of a rebel camp.
Two of them were identified by the Philippine Army as Jeniel Estoque, alias Jabjad and Fritz, of Igbaras, Iloilo, and Mario Reovoca, alias Mike and Jaguar, of Sebaste, Antique. | GB
