Photo courtesy of 47th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.
Three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) linked to recent civilian killings in southern Negros were killed in a clash with Philippine Army forces in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Saturday morning.
The fatalities were identified as Milky “Gorting” Sampini, Ritchie “Makoy”/“Akiro” Verano, and Joedil “Junjun”/“Cairo” Balsimo. They belonged to the dismantled South West Front and Regional Strike Force of the Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros.
The 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) said the operation was prompted by reports from local residents about the presence of NPA elements.
Lt. Col. Dennis Martinez, commander of the 47IB, added that community members had voiced frustration over the rebels’ previous atrocities.
The encounter occurred at around 4 a.m. in the hinterlands of Sitio Santol, Barangay Tampalon, and lasted about two minutes.
The troops recovered five high-powered firearms, including an R4 rifle, two M16 rifles, and two M203 grenade launchers, in addition to a hand grenade, personal effects, and subversive documents.
The 302nd Infantry Brigade said the three were involved in multiple civilian killings and arson cases on Negros Island, including the deaths of Leonora Anguit, 74, and Renante Vedarte, 39, of Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City.
Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan emphasized that the operation reflects the army’s commitment to justice, while Maj. Gen. Michael Samson called on remaining NPA members to lay down their arms and reintegrate into society to avoid a similar fate.