FOUR New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, including a rebel leader involved in the June 2021 killing of a Far Eastern University football player and his uncle, were killed in a clash with government troops in Masbate, according to the military.
The Army’s 9th Infantry Division (ID) named the slain rebel leader as Eddie Rosero, 44, alias Star and Ates, the commanding officer of the NPA’s Kilusang Larangan Gerilya North, Sub-Regional Committee 4, Bicol Regional Party Committee.
Also killed in the military operation were Sheryl Zalazar, 35; Glenda Ajitan, alias Jinlyn, 46; and Devina Ajitan, 51, members of Rosero’s unit.
Maj. German Franco Roldan, 9th ID spokesman, said the four died after a clash with troops from the Army’s 96th Infantry Battalion, augmented by Masbate policemen, in Sitio Madarag, Barangay Jagnaan in San Jacinto town last Saturday afternoon.
Roldan said the troops clashed with about 20 rebels, led by Rosero, for about 30 minutes.
The insurgents later withdrew, leaving behind the remains of Rosero and three others.
Troops also recovered at the site two M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, assorted ammunition, and rebel documents.
Roldan said the presence of Rosero and his men was reported by residents.
“We promptly conducted (an) operation with the PNP, leading to the encounter,” he said.
He said Rosero was part of the planning and execution of an NPA operation that led to the death of football player Kieth Absalon and his uncle Nolven and the wounding of the latter’s son in June 2021 in Barangay Anas, Masbate City.
The communists have taken responsibility for the death of the two Absalons, which they said resulted from “errors in the military action” mounted by the NPA unit and later apologized to the Absalon family.
“He was there (in the area during the killing of the Absalons). He was part of the planning and execution (of the NPA operation),” Roldan said of Rosero.
Another NPA rebel was also killed in a separate clash with government troops in Ragay town in Camarines Sur also last Saturday.
Roldan named the slain rebel as Nestor Postre, alias Barbie and Bebot, a member of the NPA’s Kilusang Larangang Guerilya 2, Sub-Regional Committee 1, Bicol Regional Party Committee.
Roldan said troops from the Army’s 81st Infantry Battalion and Camarines Sur PNP clashed with Postre’s group for about 15 minutes.
Troops recovered at the scene an M16 rifle, a 9 mm pistol, ammunition, magazines and personal belongings of the rebels, said Roldan.
