Three suspected NPA rebels killed in Kabankalan City clash

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said justice has been served to the victims of atrocities committed by the New People’s Army in central Negros Occidental, following the death of three suspected rebels in a clash with military troopers in Sitio Santol, Barangay Tampalon, Kabankalan City on Saturday.

The Philippine Army identified the fatalities as Milky alias “Gorting” Sampini, Ritchie alias “Makoy” or “Akiro” Verano, and Joedil alias “Junjun” or “Cairo” Balsimo.

The three were linked to a series of violent incidents across Negros Island, including killings and arson activities.

Among the cases attributed to the group were the deaths of 74-year-old Leonora Anguit last month and 39-year-old Renante Vedarte, both residents of Barangay Tapi in Kabankalan City, according to the 3rd Infantry Division.

Troops of the 47th Infantry Battalion were conducting security operations in response to reports of the presence of armed men when they engaged the remnants of the dismantled South West Front and the dismantled Regional Strike Force of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros at around 4 a.m.

The firefight lasted about two minutes.

No casualties were reported on the government side.

Seized from the area were an R4 rifle, two M16 rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, a hand grenade, and various subversive documents.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army has maintained an armed insurgency in the Philippines since 1969, making it one of the longest-running communist rebellions in Asia. The NPA’s presence in Negros has been marked by decades of conflict rooted in agrarian disputes, feudal land ownership, and socioeconomic inequality on the island.

The 3rd Infantry Division said justice has been served for the victims and their families, bringing a measure of closure to the affected communities.

Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, 3rd Infantry Division commander, commended the successful operations of the 47th Infantry Battalion under the 302nd Infantry Brigade and lauded the vigilance and cooperation of the local populace, whose timely reports greatly contributed to the neutralization of the three suspected rebels and the recovery of high-powered firearms.

Samson said the operation is part of the government’s sustained anti-insurgency campaign to eradicate the remaining NPA elements in the region.

“We remain steadfast and relentless in our efforts; hence, we are giving them no chance to resurge and endanger our communities,” he added.

He called on the remaining NPA rebels to abandon the armed struggle and return to mainstream society to avoid suffering the same fate as their comrades.

“Lay down your arms, come down, and embrace peace,” Samson said, as he assured them that the government is ready to help them start anew.

The Armando Sumayang Jr. Command-NPA Southwest Negros Guerrilla Front honored the three in a separate statement.

According to the rebel group, Verano, 26, came from Carcar, Cebu, and transferred to Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental to study before joining Kabataang Makabayan in 2015. Two years later, he joined the revolutionary movement in central Negros and was deployed to southwest Negros last year. He also served as vice platoon leader and deputy political instructor.

The rebel group said Sampini, 29, from Manjuyod, Negros Oriental, joined the armed struggle in 2016 and was deployed in south-central Negros before eventually being assigned to southwest Negros. He served as finance and logistics officer and squad leader.

Balsimo, 21, was a farmer from Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. He was recruited into Kabataang Makabayan in 2020 before formally joining the NPA in 2023. He was assigned to south-central Negros before being deployed to southwest Negros and also served as a vice squad leader.

Despite their loss, the rebel group said the NPA will continue its movement in honor of those who died for their cause.

The clash followed an encounter on March 17 between the 62nd Infantry Battalion and suspected rebels in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, which resulted in the death of one alleged rebel whose body was found a day later in Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.