TACLOBAN CITY– A ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed in a brief clash with government troops Tuesday afternoon in the hinterlands of Barangay Caridad, Baybay City, Leyte, the military reported.
The 8th Infantry Division(ID), which is based in Catbalogan City, Samar, said the encounter occurred on Sept. 8 after soldiers received information from a resident about the presence of armed men allegedly collecting money and food from communities in the area.
Troops from the 802nd Infantry Brigade(IB) proceeded to the area to verify the report, resulting in a firefight that lasted about five minutes, according to the military.
Killed was Erwin Murillo Maceda, alias “Romnick,” who was identified by the Army as the vice team leader of the NPA’s Island Committee Levox under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
An M16 rifle was also recovered from the encounter site, the 8th ID said.
Brig. Gen. Pompeyo Jason Almagro, commander of the 802nd IB, said Maceda and his group had allegedly been involved in extortion, threats against residents and business owners, and attacks on government security installations in Leyte.
“The people of Leyte have endured years of fear, intimidation, and disruption caused by armed groups. We will not allow these conditions to return to communities that have worked hard to achieve peace,” Almagro said in a statement released on Wednesday.
The military said the encounter followed reports of armed NPA members attempting to regain their presence in communities where government authorities have declared stable peace and security conditions.
The Army also credited residents’ cooperation and timely reporting for enabling government forces to respond to the reported presence of armed men.
“The cooperation of our communities is critical. Their timely reporting allows government forces to respond before threats can escalate,” Almagro said.
The 8th ID renewed its call for remaining NPA members to abandon armed struggle and surrender, saying government programs are available to assist former rebels who return to civilian life.
The military said it would continue operations in areas where armed groups are reported to be operating while encouraging NPA members to return peacefully to their families and communities.
(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA/ROEL T. AMAZONA)
