Five suspected NPA rebels arrested in Talisay

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Authorities intercepted five suspected New People’s Army rebels during an operation against a wanted person in Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday.

The operation, carried out under Coplan “Head Strike” and led by the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, resulted in the arrest of Glem, 48, of Zamboanga Sibugay, an alleged squad leader of the dismantled Northern Negros Front, who has a warrant of arrest for attempted murder.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said Glem was the No. 2 most wanted person at the regional level for theft, robbery, multiple frustrated murder, multiple murder, crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity, and attempted murder.

Four additional individuals were also apprehended after they were allegedly found in possession and control of firearms and explosives, with some of them sustaining body wounds, according to police.

They were identified as Dan, 25, of Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, an alleged squad leader of Central Negros 2; Jud, 34, of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; Ju, 26, of Murcia, Negros Occidental; and Je, 57, of Barangay Bata, Bacolod City.

Recovered from Dan were a .45-caliber pistol, an M1911A1 US Army firearm, a steel magazine, four rounds of live ammunition, and a hand grenade, while authorities also confiscated from Ju a .45-caliber Grand Master pistol, a steel magazine, six rounds of live ammunition, a holster, and a hand grenade.

Authorities also recovered from Glem a .45-caliber Taurus pistol made in Brazil, a steel magazine, five rounds of live ammunition, and a hand grenade, while Jud was allegedly found with a .45-caliber Rock Island pistol, a steel magazine, nine rounds of live ammunition, a lighter, and a hand grenade.

According to PRO-NIR, the arrested individuals were reportedly part of a group previously involved in an encounter with the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 19, from which they managed to escape.

Nineteen suspected NPA rebels, including alleged hitman Roger Fabillar Tapang, were killed in a series of encounters that also displaced more than 500 residents.

PRO-NIR described the operation as a high-impact breakthrough in its intensified campaign against insurgents, saying it dealt a substantial blow to the group’s leadership and operational capability in the region.

The intelligence-driven operation was conducted in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Negros Island Region, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, 6th Special Action Battalion of the Special Action Force, Talisay City Police Station, and the 79th Infantry Battalion.

Meanwhile, PRO-NIR formed Special Investigation Task Group Toboso to identify those killed in the encounter through forensic examination, documentation, and coordination with local government units and relatives of the deceased.

PRO-NIR later released the official list of fatalities who were subsequently confirmed and claimed by their respective families.

Of the 19 fatalities, eight were identified as Rene Villarin Sr., alias Kumader Pikot, 58, of Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava; Roger Fabillar Tapang, alias Jhong or Arnel, 36, of Barangay Bandila, Toboso; Ruel Sabillo, 19, of Barangay Tabun-ak, Toboso; Sonny Boy Caramihan, 28, of Barangay Bagonbon, San Carlos City; Pedro Bonghanoy, 32, of Barangay Libertad, Escalante City; Arnel Javoc, 32, of Barangay Lalong, Calatrava; Joros Caramihan, 18, of Don Salvador Benedicto; and a 17-year-old boy from Escalante City.

Ibay emphasized that, beyond law enforcement operations, the regional office remains committed to compassionate service by assisting grieving families and facilitating the timely release of their departed relatives.

He assured the public that coordination with the remaining families and concerned agencies would continue until all identified cadavers are released and all post-encounter processes are completed.

The list did not include Alyssa Alano and human rights advocate and community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma, who were earlier identified by the University of the Philippines Diliman Student Council and Altermidya Network, respectively, as among the fatalities.

The council condemned the death of Alano, who was a scholar and had served as education and research councilor of the student council.

“Alyssa, your life will remain a bright and sharp beacon for every Iskolar ng Bayan who continues to dare to struggle and serve the people,” the student council said as it called for justice.

The council said Alano lived and studied alongside farmers in Negros to understand their real situation in the face of land grabbing, exploitation, and militarization.

The council said Alano recognized the importance of using her intellect and strength to fight for the rights of students and basic sectors, especially amid the worsening economic crisis.

“She became an outstanding, diligent, compassionate, and great student leader, and a true daughter of the nation,” the council added.

The council and the broader UP community mourned Alano’s death and extended condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones she left behind.

“With courage and wholehearted dedication, Alyssa embraced the challenge given to every Iskolar ng Bayan — to serve the people. She will never be forgotten,” the council said.

While grieving the incident, the council said it would continue the struggle for social justice and accountability for all victims of fascism.

The council said that as long as the root causes of poverty remain unresolved, more people like Alano would be willing to study society and fight for a world free from exploitation.

The Philippine Army and the police have yet to release a statement on the deaths of Alano and Ledesma.