How one of Panay’s most elusive rebels fell

By Jennifer P. Rendon

His relatively small body build, fair complexion and his demeanor are no giveaways for his identity as one of Panay Island’s most wanted rebels.

Reynaldo Bocala had banked on his physical attributes, which are uncommon for an active rebel, to be mobile and undetected for almost two decades.

Bocala was the head of the New People’s Army (NPA)’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P)’s Regional Taxation Implementing Group (RTIG)/Finance Officer. He was also one of the consultants of the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Bocala used to be the deputy secretary and secretary of the Southern Front Committee (SFC), Panay Regional Party Committee (PRPC) and former head and secretary of the Regional Operational Department, PRPC.

With a P4.8-million bounty for his arrest, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army, and other law enforcement agencies have been actively looking for him.

A military intelligence official said they launched numerous operations prior to Bocala’s death in a police shootout on May 28, 2021 at Block 71, Lot 49, Village 3 of Providence Subdivision int Barangay Balabag, Pavia, Iloilo.

“We had operations in Leon, San Miguel, and even Pavia in recent months,” the source added. They also went to his place in President Roxas and Panit-an towns in Capiz province.

Authorities also searched for him in Antique sometime in 2018 until 2019. But Bocala managed to slither his way out of the dragnet unnoticed.

The source said they have been eyeing the apprehension of Bocala since his arrest warrants were issued.

Bocala, who went by the names Russ and Bading, had at least four arrest warrants

He was wanted for robbery in band with frustrated homicide and damage to property with the use of motor vehicle and unlicensed firearm; robbery with serious physical injuries; violation of Presidential Decree 1744 (Destructive Arson) as amended by Republic Act 7659; and murder.

The military official said they had been on Bocala’s trail since he jumped bail in early 2000.

Bocala was first captured in an encounter with the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), then headed by retired Colonel Cornelio Defensor, in February 2003 in Igbaras, Iloilo.

He was temporarily incarcerated at the then Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (now Western Visayas Regional Museum) in Iloilo City.

He was charged for frustrated murder but was able to post bail.

Following his release, he jumped bail and went missing until his death on Friday.

While it was spearheaded by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 6 (CIDG-6) under Lieutenant Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda, the May 28 operation was done in collaboration with the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, the Regional Intelligence Division 6, and Philippine Army units in Panay.

Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, said that IPPO had participated in at least three operations since January 2021 against Bocala and his wife, Concepcion “Concha” Araneta Bocala, NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay’s Secretary General.

“We did operations in northern and southern Iloilo and even in Aklan,” Gorero said.

As for RID-6, it said that they conducted at least five operations and even went to Mindoro province.

A few days before the operation in Pavia, Gorero said authorities received information that he was renting a house at Barangay Balabag in the said town.

But no one saw Bocala. It was only Welly Epago, his companion who was also killed during the operation, who was seen going out of the house,

Epago was the one who rented the house sometime in February 2021. He and his niece closed the transaction with the house’s caretaker, but they reportedly occupied it a month after.

Nothing was heard from them until May 2021 when an informant relayed information about Bocala spending a few days in Pavia before traveling to other areas like Dueñas town.

The operation to storm the house was scuttled despite an asset confirming the possibility that he was in the area.

But by noon of May 28, police monitoring the area managed to get a glimpse of Bocala after seeing a man that fit his description opening the balcony on the house’s second floor.

Authorities surmised that the heat was unbearable, prompting Bocala to open the door to temporarily get some fresh air.

A source said that the operation was supposed to be conducted on June 1, just in time for Concha’s birthday, thinking that she would join her husband.

But police decided to implement the search warrant on May 28, taking into consideration that Bocala might slip out of his house or Concha would not appear.

Balmaceda earlier told reporters that as they served the arrest warrants, they knocked on the door and identified themselves as police operatives.

But Epago allegedly fired at them, prompting the team to return fire.

When police barged into the house shortly later, they stumbled upon the bodies of Bocala and Epago who were holding on to their handguns.

The families of Bocala and Epago claimed their cadavers on Saturday.

Bocala’s son has reportedly refused an autopsy on his father’s remains.

He allegedly told policemen that they are saddened, but they somehow expected that their father’s life might end that way.

 

BIG BLOW

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) said Bocala’s death is a big blow to the CPP-NPA in Panay.

Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, Western Visayas police chief, said his death will gravely affect the operations of the rebel group.

“Malaking kawalan sa kilusan ang pagkawala ni Bocala. It will impede their operations because he is the one managing the finances of KR-Panay,” Miranda said.

He said the successful operation against wanted high-ranking CPP-NPA members is a collaborative effort of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spearheaded by the PNP and the AFP.

The region’s top cop also appealed to the active CPP-NPA members to surrender to the government.

“Again, I am telling you, wala kayong mapapala diyan sa CPP-NPA. Mas nanaisin pa namin na sumurender na lang kayo at magbagong buhay,” Miranda said.