Army identifies fatalities in Miagao clash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has identified some of the fatalities in the encounter between members of the 61st Infantry Battalion and New People’s Army (NPA) in Miag-ao, Iloilo last Dec 1, 2021.

The eight bodies that were recovered from the encounter site and brought to a funeral home in Miag-ao town were identified to be that of:

– Roger Pedro alias Lim/Gurang of San Remegio, Antique;

– Leonard Taburete alias Tatang/Toms, of Tubungan, Iloilo;

– Liezel Tacuel alias Dayday/April/Jare of Tubungan town;

– Gerly Tejeros alias Elay of Tigbauan, Iloilo;

– a certain Inday/Jeboy of San Jaoquin, Iloilo;

– Rica Nudgara alias Amber of Miagao;

– Eugene Estopido Talibo alias Africk of Igbaras, Iloilo; and

Juveniel Sandig alias Francis.

Pedro was the leader of Squad 3-Suyak Platoon of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P) Southern Front while Taburete and alias Inday/Jeboy were the leader and assistant leader of Squad 2, respectively.

Reports indicated that Tacuel, Nudgara, Tejeros, Talibo, and Sandig all belonged to Suyak Platoon’s Squad 1.

Brigadier General Marion Sison, 301st Infantry Brigade commander, said that the recovered cadavers were identified by former rebels, with the aid of the PNP Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) team.

While the 3rd ID command lauded the anti-insurgency efforts of the operating troops, it was saddened that some lives were lost.

Describing the incident as a decisive encounter, the 3rd ID said that “government forces showed the lethal, efficient, and effective combination of timely and good intelligence with intensified focused military operations.”

It added that the encounter was an offshoot of reports from concerned citizens that rebels were massing up in the area.

Subsequently, 301st Infantry Brigade quickly activated a joint task group to formulate a plan to disrupt the enemy’s plenum.

The move led to soldiers thwarting an intended major terrorist offensive.

The intermittent exchange of gunfire lasted for several hours.

After the clearing operation, the soldiers recovered three M-16 Armalite rifles, an AK-47 assault rifle, six landmine, three hand grenades, 14 backpacks, two commercial radios (Baofeng), five detonators, a generator set, four mobile phones, electrical wires, assorted magazines, subversive documents and other personal belongings.

Heavy bloodstains marked the direction of the enemy withdrawal route, indicating that some rebels may have been wounded.

Meanwhile, Sison extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family of the rebels who died during the encounter.

“This is the result of the deception and manipulation of CPP-NPA leaders. Members risk their lives fighting a senseless bloody struggle. They even leave their dead comrades and don’t even care to give them proper burial,” he said.

He again urged the remaining NPA members to go back to the government fold while they still have a chance.

“We, your Army, are always willing to help you to live a peaceful life. We will never hesitate to assist you in availing the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), for you to start your life anew. But should you choose to reject this chance, know that the full force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is determined to finish the Communist terrorists’ atrocities. There will be nowhere to hide.  We will find you,” Sison said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the concerned residents who provided the vital information to the successful combat operations that saw zero casualty from the government side.

“This is a manifestation that the communities are tired and desire peace. I also laud all the troops involved and all partner agencies for a job well-done.  It is only a matter of time until we put an end to the Communist Terrorist Group”, Sison said.