NPA rebel nabbed in Negros Oriental

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) commander, commended the Army soldiers and police for apprehending an alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Linantuyan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental last Saturday.

Robert Estorco alias “Janggo”, is an alleged member of the Regional Striking Force (RSF), Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor, according to the Army.

Estorco has an arrest warrant for murder with no bail recommended issued by Judge Arville Delgado of Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in Guihulngan City dated July 2, 2021.

Authorities recovered from him a homemade .45 caliber pistol with three magazines loaded with 21 live ammunitions, and suspected dried marijuana.

Estorco was also linked to the killing of a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) in January 2019, and another victim of a shooting incident in May this year in Barangay Linantuyan, the Army said.

Pasaporte said the dedication to duty of the military troopers is incomparable, as he urged them to continue to be the best.

He also commended the residents of Barangay Linantuyan for providing information to the Army that led to Estorco’s arrest.

“It shows that the NPA terrorists are unwanted in the area,” Pasaporte said.

Meanwhile, residents of Sitio Balik-balik, Barangay Tabu, Ilog, Negros Occidental held a condemnation rally against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)-South West Front (SWF), KR-NCBS Thursday last week.

The activity was in relation to the recent encounter between the NPAs and the Philippine National Police (PNP) – 6th Special Action Force Battalion (6SAB) in the said village on Sept.14, which resulted in the death of four rebels, and arrest of three persons, including its secretary/leader.

The peace rally was aimed to condemn the presence of CTG-SWF and inform the public about the government forces’ peace and security efforts.

The activity commenced through a symbolic peace walk, wherein residents held placards declaring the NPAs persona non grata. A candle lighting and prayer then followed for peace and protection from terrorism.

A brief lecture on insurgency and Anti-Terrorism Law was also conducted to raise awareness on CTGs’ schemes and consequences of joining the terrorist group.