The cadaver of one New People’s Army (NPA) terrorist and his high powered firearm were recovered by the troops of 15th Infantry (Molave Warrior) Battalion during an armed confrontation with the communist terrorist group (CTG) at Sitio Bajay, Barangay Caliling, Negros Occidental in the morning of April 19, 2022.
A tip-off from a concern resident of the said barangay regarding the presence of armed rebels conducting extortion in the vicinity prompted the soldiers to confirm the veracity of said report. The soldiers were at that time doing the re-visitation of their previously cleared barangay in preparation for the upcoming conduct of retooled community support program (RCSP) by the local government unit of Cauayan, Negros Occidental. A few minutes later, when the Molave Warrior troopers were closing in at sitio Bajay, an encounter with sporadic firefight ensued due to sudden withdrawal of the terrorists who were on panic and fleeing to different directions leaving their dead comrade and bringing along with them their wounded as indicated by the bloodstains at the encounter site.
The casualty was identified as certain Celso Tribunalo y Dahil-Dahil alias LARRY/ JIMLO/GREG, Squad Leader of Squad 2, SDG Platoon, SWF. Said fatality is around 62 years old, married and a resident of Sitio Ulomhon, Brgy Yao-Yao, Cauayan, Negros Occidental. Also recovered from him is one M4 Rifle with magazines and ammunition, war materials and personal belongings. The government forces incurred no casualty.
Brigadier General Leonardo I Peña PA, 302nd Brigade Commander, lauded the efforts demonstrated by the operating troops. He also recognized the active participation of the community from Barangay Caliling for the accurate and timely information that they provided to the government troops.
“We will be relentless in our campaign to help and support the national government in its campaign to eradicate and totally end the five decades of menace and terroristic activities of the Communist NPA Terrorist in the country side. We are now more focused and delighted because of the sincere involvement of the people in the community to help the government in its crusade for peace and progress by ending the local communist armed conflict,” BGen Peña added.
“To those remaining Communist NPA Terrorist here in the island of Negros, the time to surrender is now; our government will help you and we will facilitate your peaceful surrender,” BGen Peña reiterated.
