Suspected rebel killed in Miag-ao clash

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

 

Reports from hinterland folks of recruitment conducted by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) led to an armed clash between the rebel group and members of the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion.

Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, 61st IB commander, said the encounter that happened 11:10 a.m. of June 29, 2020 at Sitio Lay, Barangay Dalije Miagao, Iloilo, resulted in the death of a still unidentified rebel.

They also recovered an M16 Armalite rifle.

Batara said the 61st IB troops encountered around 30 members of the NPA’s Suyak (SDG) Platoon of the Southern Front-Komiteng Rehiyon Panay.

The group is led by Joven “Lex” Ceralvo.

A few days back, Batara confirmed receiving several reports on NPA sightings in some parts of Antique and the southern towns of Iloilo.

“Apparently, while they made their recruitment sa towns like Sibalom in Antique and San Joaquin, doon pa rin sila nag-ma-mass up sa Miag-ao,” he said.

The site where the encounter happened is between Miag-ao and San Joaquin.

“We could not have done it without the community’s help,” Batara said.

As of press time, ongoing operations are being conducted in the Miag-ao and San Joaquin area.