Rebel killed in another clash with Army troops

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Another rebel was killed in the latest armed clash between Philippine Army troops and New People’s Army (NPA) members.

Former rebels identified the fatality as John Paul Capio, also known by his aliases Robron and Thor, 36, a resident of Sitio Kadingilan, Barangay Boloc, Tubungan, Iloilo.

The skirmish occurred around 9 a.m. on August 24 at Sitio Mapa, Barangay Culyat, Valderrama, Antique.

Capio was allegedly the leader of the NPA’s Regional Headquarters and Regional Sentro de Gravidad (RSDG) and was involved in an armed encounter with members of the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion.

In a press statement, the 3rd Infantry Division (3rd ID) reported that the clash transpired as the troops responded to the reported presence of about seven armed men.

The exchange of gunfire lasted approximately five minutes before the rebels withdrew toward the northeast.

No government troops were injured in the encounter.

The troops recovered five high-powered firearms, including two 5.56mm assault rifles, an M16 assault rifle, a 7.62mm assault rifle, and an M14 rifle.

They also seized 43 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and two magazines for the M16 rifle.

This encounter in Antique followed a series of armed clashes in the towns of Calinog and Lambunao in Iloilo, which claimed the lives of several NPA members, including the three highest-ranking NPA leaders in Panay Island.