A high-ranking NPA leader was killed in a clash between the military and the New People’s Army on Monday, February 21, 2022, in Polillo, Quezon.
A certain @ FACIO, the 3rd Deputy Secretary of Sub-Reginal Military Area-4A and Political Instructor of Platun Dos of Komite Larangang Gerilya NARCISO of SRMA-4A under the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee of the CPP/NPA/NDF died during a firefight with the members of 1st Infantry Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army in Sitio Saging, Barangay Binibitinan municipality of Polillo, province of Quezon.
According to reports, the military received a tip-off from a concerned civilian about the presence of armed men believed to be NPAs. With the said information, the 202 Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General Cerilo C Balaoro Junior then planned and directed the 1st Infantry Battalion for a combat operation to address the threat posed by the rebel’s presence in the area believed to be recruiting locals and about to engage in extortion activities.
The firefight with the said rebel group lasted for about 10 minutes resulting in the demise of @ FACIO, and the recovery of various war materials that included one M653 Rifle, one short magazine, two anti-personnel mine, one bandolier, subversive documents, two keypad phones, one android phone, and other personal belongings.
Major General Rowen S Tolentino lauded the efforts of the 1st Infantry Battalion and expressed his gratitude to the populace for their desire and cooperation in putting an end to the communist insurgency.
He said, “This unnecessary loss of life could have been avoided if the Communist Terrorist Group left the peace-loving people of Pollilio alone and let them prosper without fear from being dragged to this long insignificant communist ideology.”
