Army tracks fewer than 10 NPA remnants

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Lt. Col. Eric Alfonso, commander of the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion, said the military is tracking fewer than 10 remaining members of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF-D) in Negros Occidental.

In a media interview on the sidelines of the launch of S.A.F.E. Negros Island Region 911 here Thursday, Alfonso said among the remnants is alias “Kier,” a comrade of Roger Fabillar Tapang, who was killed in an armed encounter in Toboso on April 19.

Alfonso said they do not consider Kier a new personality because he was already a fugitive before he joined the armed struggle.

“Tinutugis pa rin natin ngayon at hinahabol,” he added.

Alfonso said Kier’s group was involved in a clash with military troops in Barangay Tamlang, Escalante City, on June 1 that killed a soldier.

He said Kier was reportedly involved in killings and is also a fugitive facing cases for acts of lasciviousness, murder, and carnapping.

Alfonso also mentioned an incident in Victorias City in April last year, where Kier and Tapang reportedly carried out a liquidation against Kier’s brother.

“We cannot tell if he’s Tapang’s replacement, but there are still remnants of the NNF-D. Konti na lang sila,” he said, adding that their number significantly decreased after the deadly Toboso clash that killed 19 individuals.

Despite this, Alfonso assured residents of northern Negros that the Philippine Army will continue its operations to protect communities from armed threats.

“Hangga’t maaari, bukas pa na magbalik-loob sila. Patuloy tayong nananawagan na suportahan ang programa ng gobyerno,” he said.

Meanwhile, Alfonso said the remains of Private First Class John Rey Brasil were transferred Thursday to his wife’s hometown in Murcia, a day after his wake was held temporarily in Sagay City.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. visited the wake in Sagay City and paid his respects to the fallen soldier.

Brasil was leading troops during a military operation when he died from a gunshot wound to the head in the Escalante clash.

Alfonso said the 29-year-old Brasil was not on the front line during the Toboso clash because he was assigned to security and community support programs at the time.

He said the family has yet to decide whether Brasil’s remains will be brought to his hometown in Guimbal, Iloilo.

Alfonso added that Brasil’s interment will be in Murcia.

On the other hand, the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-New People’s Army Northern Negros Guerrilla Front confirmed the clash with the 79th IB in Escalante City.

The rebel group said it fired first at soldiers while they were maneuvering in the area and later fled.

The group denied that the man arrested by authorities at a police checkpoint in Barangay Jonob-Jonob, Escalante City, hours after the clash was part of the armed struggle.

It also denied that a wanted person killed in an operation led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region in Escalante City last April was part of the revolutionary movement.

“They’re civilians and not part of the revolutionary movement,” the rebel group said in a statement.

The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, while the military has continued clearing operations against its remaining units in Negros.