High-ranking NPA leader among three killed

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Three suspected New People’s Army rebels, including a high-ranking officer, were killed in separate encounters with military troops on Negros Island over the weekend.

Lt. Col. Zeigfred Tayaban, commander of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion, said another clash erupted in Barangay Bi-ao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, at about 4 p.m. Friday, resulting in the death of an alleged NPA leader, following an earlier encounter that morning that killed a suspected finance and logistics officer of the rebel group.

Tayaban identified the second fatality as Reynaldo Elecre, alias “Amik,” in his mid-60s, a native of Maco, Davao de Oro, who later married in Bohol.

Elecre was the regional secretary of Komiteng Rehiyon Negros and allegedly led NPA operations in the Negros Island Region, Tayaban said.

Elecre was among 10 remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 2 unit initially encountered by government forces in the village that morning, an encounter that resulted in the death of Regie Pacheco, alias “Dante,” of Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, who was allegedly involved in extortion activities.

Tayaban said a .45-caliber pistol was recovered from Elecre after his body was found following the second clash.

Several rounds of ammunition, gadgets and personal valuables were also recovered from the encounter site, he added.

The second clash displaced about 60 families in neighboring areas of Barangay Bi-ao, but Tayaban said they may return to their homes once the area is cleared by troops.

No injuries were reported on the government side, according to the military.

Tayaban said Elecre’s death would create a leadership vacuum within the group and that it would take time to fill his position.

He added that the loss would cripple the group’s efforts to regain influence in the area.

The encounters thwarted an alleged attempt to sabotage government infrastructure in the village, according to the 94th Infantry Battalion.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, in a media interview, reiterated the provincial government’s call for NPA members to lay down their arms and allow the government to assist them in pursuing a more peaceful life.

“It’s an ongoing battle between the government and our rebel brothers and sisters, but we’re really hoping for a lasting solution to this peace and order problem,” Lacson said.

Meanwhile, two more suspected NPA rebels were killed in a clash with troops of the Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Laos Dako, Barangay Binobohan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, on Saturday.

Government forces launched focused military operations against remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 1 unit after concerned residents reported their presence, leading to a firefight.

Recovered from the encounter site were an M16 rifle, four long magazines, a .45-caliber pistol, a hand grenade, two cellular phones and assorted subversive documents.

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said the successful operation was made possible through cooperation from local communities, whose timely reports enabled troops to track and engage the armed group.

“These successive operations highlight the strong partnership between our soldiers and the people of Negros,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Samson added that the bravery of the troops, combined with the vigilance of local communities, is steadily weakening the remaining NPA forces.