TWO New People’s Army (NPA) leaders and another rebel were slain in a firefight with government troops in Carigara town in Leyte on Wednesday.
The Army’s 8th Infantry Division (ID) named the fatalities as Juanito Sellesa Jr, alias Tibor; Eugene Paclita, alias Dimple; and Lito Delante, alias Dodong.
The military said Sellesa is a member of the executive committee of the NPA’s Island Committee Levox, under the Eastern Visayas regional party committee.
Paclita is the leader of the NPA’s Squad 2, while Delante is a member of the same NPA unit.
Troops from the Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operations in Barangay Cogon in Carigara town when they clashed with Sellesa’s group.
The fighting also resulted in the recovery of an M16 rifle with two magazines, a cal. 45 pistol with two magazines, a hand grenade, personal belongings, and NPA documents.
The 8th ID said Sellesa and some of his men are wanted for the murder of Jesus Sarcilla in Barangay Binibihan, also in Carigara town, on December 7, 2021.
“Sarcilla was killed mercilessly in front of his daughter Zosima Sarcilla despite the goodwill extended by the victim to the said terrorist group by providing them food and shelter,” the 8th ID said in a statement.
8th ID commander Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio urged the remaining rebels to surrender, noting that “there is no haven for terrorism in the 8th ID’s areas of operations (in Eastern Visayas).”
“To those still in the ranks of CTG (communist terrorist group), let there be no more lives wasted in armed struggle. Surrender now, return to your families, and choose the path of peace while there is still time,” said Orio.
Orio condemned the NPA’s continuing recruitment of members in Eastern Visayas.
“Even up to this day, the communist terrorist group is still pursuing recruitment activities to corrupt the youth, farmers, and the common people,” said Orio.
“What they are doing is an outright violation of humanity and justice as they prey on the vulnerable, manipulate the people, and compromise the government’s effort in bringing peace and development in the region,” he added.
Orio urged the public to reject the rebel recruitment, saying “there is nothing revolutionary in turning your future into tools of violence.”
