Families of NPA members killed in clash receive aid

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo provincial government has provided financial assistance to the families of two New People’s Army (NPA) members killed during an encounter in Leon, Iloilo.

Each family of Nahum Camariosa, known as alias Bebong, and Ricardo Costas Jr., known as alias Cedrick, received P30,000.

Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, OIC Governor of Iloilo, along with Sergeant Rubin Perez of the 61st Infantry Battalion and Rani Melvi Cuarte from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, distributed the cash to the relatives of Camariosa and Costas on Monday, May 6.

The financial support was sourced from Iloilo’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Balgos, Jr., commander of the 61st IB, mentioned that efforts are underway to secure additional financial support from the local governments of Leon and San Joaquin and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Region 6.

“That would be a big help to defray the expenses of the funeral and burial services,” Balgos said.

Following the clash, the 61st IB provided transportation and assisted in processing the necessary documents related to the deaths of Camariosa and Costas Jr.

Camariosa, a resident of Barangay Manampunay, Leon, served as the Southern Front’s Puregold Platoon leader.

Meanwhile, Costas, a member of KR-P RSDG, hailed from Barangay Bad-as, San Joaquin, Iloilo.

Camariosa was facing several criminal cases, including multiple murder, frustrated murder, robbery in band with frustrated homicide and damage to property, and robbery with serious physical injuries.

A bounty of P150,000 had been offered for his arrest.