A FINANCE officer and three other members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a firefight with government troops in Manapla town in Negros Occidental yesterday.
The Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion named the slain NPA leader as Marilyn Badayos, alias Monet, finance officer of the NPA’s Northern Negros Front and former secretary of the South East Front.
Also killed were Ronilo Desabille, alias Wowie, an education officer; and Rody Carbajosa, a logistics officer, both under Badayos. The identity of the fourth fatality has yet to be established.
The military said Badayos has a standing arrest warrant, issued by the San Carlos City regional trial court in Negros Occidental, for attempted murder.
Troops from the Army’s 79th IB, augmented by the PNP, conducted combat operations in Barangay San Pablo near the Hacienda Builders where they rebels were reportedly extorting from residents.
The firefight broke out at around 2 a.m. and lasted for about 30 minutes.
Soldiers recovered from the scene the four rebel bodies, a cal. 45 pistol, a cal. 38 pistol, two hand grenades and documents.
Pursuit operations are ongoing against the other rebels.
