NPA slams Army for ‘fake encounter’ in Canlaon

BACOLOD City – The Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army (LPC-NPA) condemned the death of three persons believed to be members of the NPA in a clash with the military troopers in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental last Tuesday, calling it as a “fake encounter.”

The Army identified the alleged slain rebels as Cristina Jacolbe alias “Chave,” 40, an alleged finance officer; her daughter Everly Kee Jacolbe alias “Kaye,” 18; and Rodan Montero alias “DJ,” 42, all members of Central Negros 1 (CN1) of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR-NCBS).

The Army earlier reported Ernie Jacolbe, as one of the fatalities in the clash, but the military released the confirmed names of the fatalities yesterday, excluding Ernie in the list.

KA JB Regalado, spokesperson of LPC-NPA, in a statement, said the family of Jacolbe was resting in a hut in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, when the Army allegedly planted the firearms on them and carted away their money and personal belongings.

Regalado said that Cristina was a former daycare worker in Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, who was allegedly red-tagged or linked to insurgents prompting her to leave her work.

Regalado also said that Cristina’s daughter was a minor aged 16.

The three alleged rebels were killed in a clash with the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) at Sitio Natuling, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City last Tuesday.

Military troopers recovered a KG9 with a magazine, two .45 caliber pistols with two magazines, a .38 caliber revolver, a gauge shotgun, documents and other personal belongings.

However, the NPA stressed that it was a fake encounter.

“Walang katotohanan ang sinasabing may naganap na engkwentro sa pagitan ng tropa ng 62nf IB at NPA,” Regalado said.

For his part, Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), maintained that it was a legitimate military operation since they received reports regarding the alleged presence and extortion activities of the NPA in the area.

“Nag respond ang militar so that as much as possible wala pang pahadlok sa mga pumuluyo,” he added.

Pasaporte also clarified that Jacolbe’s son confirmed to the Army on late Tuesday night that it was Montero who was killed in the clash and not his father Ernie, who was earlier reported by the Army.

He, however, could not confirm yet the relationship of Montero to the Jacolbe family.

Pasaporte also said that they will investigate and file a case against the NPA if proven that Cristina’s daughter was a minor.

With the series of military operations against the NPA, Pasaporte said the Central Negros 1 and 2 have weakened.

Pasaporte said they’re expecting that the group will reinforce to regain their organization, just like the South West Front.

But, he assured that the Army will do its mandate to protect the people of Negros.

Meanwhile, Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3rd Infantry Division (ID) said the recent encounter is the result of the unending support of the local populace to the Army by giving them accurate and reliable information on the whereabouts of these NPAs.

“With these noteworthy accomplishments, your Army in Western and Central Visayas are glad that we were able to reduce the NPA’s strength and firearms,” Arevalo said.