THE overall leader of the New People’s Army in Western Visayas and Central Visayas died after a firefight with government troops in Binalbagan town in Negros Occidental
Lt. Col. Israel Galorio, spokesman of the military’s Visayas Command, said the death of Rogelio Posadas means the communist movement in the two regions “are now leaderless, with no clear operational direction on the ground.”
“This will further contribute to the leadership vacuum that their aching organization continues to suffer,” added Galorio.
A report from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said Posadas was killed after he and his men clashed with troops from the 62nd and 94th infantry battalions in Sitio Cabite, Barangay Santol in Binalbagan last Thursday.
The firefight also led to recovery of two pistols, magazines and ammunition, two blasting caps, a backpack, personal belongings, assorted medicines, and documents including extortion letters.
Posadas had a standing arrest warrant issued by a Cadiz City court for murder, according to Galorio.
Galorio described Posadas as a “notorious leader” of the NPA who he said “orchestrated terrorist activities” in Central Visayas sand Western Visayas.
3rd Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Vicel Jan Garsuta said Posadas was also behind kidnapping, extortion and other criminal activities, including attacks on military and civilian targets, in the two regions.
“His death is a crushing defeat to the CPP-NPA-NDF, as this will clearly manifest the decimation of the terrorist group in the Visayas region and will send a strong message to their already demoralized ranks that they have no safe haven to hide, and that the government forces continue to gain grounds on them,” said Galorio.
Galorio urged NPA rebels in Visayas to surrender “while there is still time.”
