TWO New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in clashes with government troops in Iloilo, the mili-tary reported.
One of the slain rebels was identified as Jose Jerry Tacaisan, 54, a member of the NPA’s Regional Head-quarters and a former squad leader under a now-dismantled NPA guerrilla front.
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said Tacaisan, who carries the aliases Miller and Bronze, died in a fire-fight with troops from the Army’s 61st, 12th and 82nd infantry battalions last Wednesday in Barangay Cabatangan in Lambunao town.
The military said the presence of Tacaisan and his comrades was reported by residents, prompting the conduct of the combat operations.
The five-minute firefight also resulted in the seizure of an M16 rifle, 85 rounds of ammunition, maga-zines for M16 rifle, a bandolier, rebel documents with high intelligence value, and personal belongings.
Two days earlier, troops from the 82nd and 12th infantry battalions clashed with the same group of re-bels in Barangay Aglonok in Calinog town.
The encounter resulted in the death of Benjamin Cortel, alias Mamang and Amor, a political officer of the same NPA unit; and seizure of five high-powered firearms.
3rd Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Marion Sison said the military will remain relentless in its counter-insurgency operations until Iloilo and the Panay Island will become a “peaceful and progressive place.”
“We will not rest until we have dismantled the last remaining guerrilla front of the CTG (communist ter-rorist group) in Panay,” said Sison.
Sison urged the remaining rebels in the region to surrender to prevent further loss of lives.
“Come forward, your government is ready to welcome you back into mainstream society with various support through its Enhanced-Comprehensive Integration Program,” said Sison.
“You deserve a second chance, so take this opportunity while you still can and return to the embrace of your family who truly cares for you,” said Sison.
