Army confirms top rebel’s death in Miagao clash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A top leader of New People’s Army (NPA) in Iloilo was among the fatalities in the Dec 1, 2021 encounter in Miagao, Iloilo.

The 301st Infantry Brigade confirmed the death of Joven Ceralvo alias “Lex,” the 2nd Deputy Secretary of the Kometing Rehiyon-Panay (SF KR-P) Southern Front and commanding officer of the Front Operational Command Kometing Rehiyon-Panay (FOC KR-P).

Ceralvo’s death was established following the forensic examination by the PNP’s Scene of the Crime Operation  (SOCO) team on the recovered cadaver of the NPA leader.

Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said that the deaths of Ceralvo and those of his comrades serve as a warning to other terrorists that they will suffer the same fate if they don’t surrender peacefully.

“His death is considered as justice served for all the victims of atrocities he has committed and a major setback to Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Panay. May his death will send an urgent and strong signal to the remaining leaders and members of the communist terrorist group to abandon violence and choose peace to avoid deaths,” Arevalo said.

Ceralvo is also facing different criminal cases such as rebellion, frustrated murder, double, multiple attempted murder, robbery, and arson.