Cops identify three NPA rebels slain in Kabankalan clashes

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police have identified the three alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who were killed in a clash in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental over the weekend.

Police Captain Judesses Catalogo, public information officer of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said that Jomarie Calumba, 47, of Barangay Oringao, was the first to be identified.

Catalogo said that Calumba’s wife positively identified him and claimed his remains last Monday.

But Calumba’s wife denied her husband’s alleged link to the NPA.

Later that night, another casualty was identified as Jun Jun Callete, 42, of Tayasan, Negros Oriental.

Catalogo said that Callete’s remains were claimed by his mother.

The following day, Catalogo said the third casualty was identified as Diomedes Lasida, 70, of Barangay Pinggot, Ilog, Negros Occidental.

Catalogo said that Lasida’s remains were claimed by his son yesterday.

He said that Lasida’s son alleged that they have not seen their father since January 2019.

Lasida’s son went to the police station to check the remains of the slain persons.

Catalogo said that Lasida’s son told the police that they had no contact with their father since he left their house.

“Wala man sila kabalo kung diin nagkadto,” he added.

Catalogo said they will probe the claims and allegations of these families.

Meanwhile, the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) has only identified Calumba as one of three casualties in the clash.

Captain Mervin Rosal, civil-military operations officer of 303rd IBde, said that Calumba is an alleged member of Central Negros 1.

The clash in Barangay Oringao first erupted on Feb. 4, followed by another firefight on Feb. 5, that displaced more than 800 residents.