A New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed in a clash with the government forces in Miag-ao, Iloilo bringing the death toll to nine, the Philippine Army reported on Friday.
In a statement, the Philippine Army identified the ninth casualty as Joven “Lex” Ceralvo, deputy secretary of Kometing Rehiyon-Panay (SF KR-P) Southern Front and commanding officer of the Front Operational Command Kometing Rehiyon-Panay (FOC KR-P), in the recent clash in Sitio Burak, Barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao, Iloilo on Wednesday.
His death was confirmed by the 301st Infantry Brigade after the forensic examination of the recovered cadaver of the NPA leader conducted by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) team.
Major General Benedict Arevalo, commanding officer of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said the death of the NPA members serves as a “warning” for the other members if they will not surrender peacefully.
“May his death will send an urgent and strong signal to the remaining leaders and members of the communist group to abandon violence and choose peace to avoid deaths,” he added.
Arevalo said Ceralvo is also facing different criminal cases including rebellion, frustrated murder, multiple attempted murder, robbery, and arson.
Earlier, eight members of the NPA were reported killed during the encounter with the government troops.
The military said the operation started at 6 a.m. in Barangay Alimodias, in response to information that a group of CPP-NPA rebels had gathered in the hinterland barangays of Miagao to plan their attacks.
After the gun battle, government forces also seized three M16 rifles, one AK47 rifle, four Anti-Personnel Mines, three detonators, one projector, subversive documents with high intelligence value, and assorted personal belongings. — Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA News
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