A SQUAD leader of the New People’s Army involved in the ambush-slay of four policemen in Negros Oriental last year was killed in a firefight with soldiers in Ilog town, Negros Occidental on Monday.
The fatality was identified as Mitchel Fat, who carries the aliases TM, Epi and Lakas and leader of the NPA’s Squad 1, Samahang Yunit Propaganda Platoon of the Central Negros Front, according to the Capiz-based 3rd Infantry Division.
3rd ID spokesman Maj. Cenon Pancito said Fat’s group was behind the “brutal killing” of policemen during an ambush in Ayungon town, also in Negros Oriental, on July 18 last year.
Police said the rebels took the firearms, valuables and personal belongings of the slain policemen identified as Corporal Relebert Beronio and Patrolmen Raffy Callo, Roel Cabellon, and Marquino de Leon.
Troops from the Army’s Infantry Battalion Battalion were sent to Barangal Dancalan in Ilog town to serve arrest warrants against Fat but the rebel leader reportedly opened fired at the soldiers.
Pancito said troops fired back, hitting Fat. He was brought to the Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City but was declared dead on arrival.
Recovered at the scene of the firefight were a cal. 45 pistol, ammunition and other war materiel, personal belongings and NPA documents.
“The neutralization of alias Lakas came after local populace in the area provided and tipped-off his presence and whereabouts,” Pancito said of Fat, who was described as a “high-value individual” in the campaign against the insurgents.
15th IB commander Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño said the neutralization of Fat is a setback to the communist movement in the province.
“It also shows the unwavering support of the local populace in whom are already affected with the menace brought by these terrorist group,” said Cariño , noting the civilians’ help in locating the whereabouts of Fat.
Brig. Gen. Noel Bayugan, commander of the Army’s 302nd Brigade, directed troops to remain unrelenting in the counter-insurgency campaign.
