• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An elusive leader of the New People’s Army and his comrade died in separate encounters with government troops at the boundary of barangays Bucari and Cawilihan in Leon, Iloilo on Thursday, May 2.
The fatalities were identified as Nahum Camariosa, a squad leader of the dismantled Southern Panay Front, and alias “Jun Jun”, a member of the Regional Sentro De Grabidad Platoon.
Camariosa was believed to be involved in the death of Negrense soldier, PFC Rodelo Alfanza, during an encounter in Tubungan, Iloilo earlier this year.
Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, public affairs chief of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said on Friday (May 3) that the 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) soldiers who engaged the estimated 20 rebels led by Camariosa recovered various weapons.
They seized three M16 assault rifles, a M14 rifle and an AK 47 automatic rifle, assorted ammunition and an improvised anti-personnel mine at the encounter site.
The slain rebel leader is among the top wanted NPA leaders in Western Visayas.
He was facing a string of criminal cases, including multiple murder, frustrated murder, robbery in band with frustrated homicide and damage to property, and robbery with serious physical injuries.
Camariosa has a bounty of P150,000 on his head.
The rebel unit commanded by Camariosa was also involved in a series of encounters with 61IB soldiers in San Joaquin and Tubungan towns in the first quarter of 2024, which resulted in the death of his daughter, Rena Rhea and three others, according to the 3ID report.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander, lauded the 61IB troops and the locals for their collaborative efforts that resulted in the neutralization of Camariosa and his comrade, and the recovery of several high-powered firearms. | GB
