Ang Pahayagan

BALER, Aurora-The Philippine Army’s 84th Infantry “Victorious” Battalion found three (3) lifeless body of female New Peoples Army (NPA) at the hinterlands of Barangay Malbang, Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija according to the 703rd Infantry (Agila) Brigade based in the town of Bongabon in Nueva Ecija.

703rd Agila Brigade commanding officer Brigadier General Joseph Norwin D. Pasamonte said in an interview on Friday, June 28, 2024 that the 84th IB found three (3) more female cadavers and four (4) firearms, saying that the two (2) of them were identified as Andrie Dela Cruz alias ‘Lay/Rowen/Lunti’, Political Instructor of Platun Silangan Gitnang Luzon; and Azase Galang alias ‘Cha’; while the other female was yet to be identified by the authorities.

He added that the dead female NPA were found a few meters away from the exit route of the encounter site.

It was believed that they were abandoned by their comrades from the Komiteng Rehiyon Gitnang Luzon (KRGL) of the NPA when they withdrew from the encounter site on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

It can be noted that soldiers were able to recover 10 high-powered firearms and now four additional firearms for a total of 14 firearms including one (1) low-powered firearm, subversive documents, and personal belongings from the encounter site during the search in the area.

In the latest developments reported by the 703rd Agila Brigade to PNA, it was totalled to 10 KRGL of the NPA were killed in an armed encounter with the soldiers of 84th IB in the said barangay.

Pasamonte identified the five dead as Hilario Guiuo alias ‘Berting’, Acting Secretary of KRGL, and Commander, Regional Operational Command; Harold Sarenas Meñosa alias ‘Luzon’, Commander, Platoon Silangan Gitnang Luzon; Pepito Trinidad Bautista alias ‘Dylan’ Team Leader, Sqd Tersera, Pltn Silangan Gitnang Luzon; Reynan Mendoza alias ‘Mel’, and Archie Anceta alias ‘Joel’.

The authorities are trying to identify the remaining two (2) personalities who also died during the encounter.

All casualties were brought to the nearest funeral homes in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija to give them proper burial and later to be turned over to their respective families.

Pasamonte then reiterates his call to the remaining members of the CTG to surrender and give peace a chance. Information received from 703rd Agila Brigade that the relatives of Guiuo and Meñosa were at the Stairway Funeral Parlor in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija requesting for the release of the cadavers.

 Pasamonte commended the Victorious Battalion for their victory against the CTG in Nueva Ecija and for their commitment to preserve the peace and security in the area.

“We would like to express our sympathy to the bereaved families of those who died and I am saddened that they reached to this point. Hindi nagkukulang ang gobyerno sa panawagan na sumuko na at magbagong buhay. Handa ang gobyernong tanggapin ang may gustong yakapin ang kapayapaan para makapiling ang kanilang pamilya. Nawa’y magsilbi itong aral sa mga natitirang CTG na ipinaglalaban ang kanilang huwad na ideolohiya,” Pasamonte said. (Jason de Asis)