Army girds for potential retaliation from rebels
ILOILO City – In response to recent hostilities, Brigadier General Michael Samson, commander of the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade, announced readiness for any retaliatory actions by the New People’s Army (NPA).
Last week in Barangay Torocadan, San J oaquin, Iloilo, four members of the NPA, including the daughter of a suspected NPA leader Nahum Camariosa, alias “Bebong” of the Southern Panay Front, Komiteng Rehiyon- Panay ( SPF KRPanay), were killed.
The deceased included Rena Rhea Camariosa, also known as Ka Kira/Sheena, and three other rebels.
Rocel Nabua Esmediana, alias Ka Michelle/ Nitchelle of the PUREGOLD Platoon, SPF KR- P, from Sitio Burak, Barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao, was captured with injuries during the encounter.
“We are fully prepared for any retaliatory attack. We have anticipated their desire for revenge, but we are sufficiently manned to confront them if necessary,” said Samson.
The encounter also resulted in the deaths of Jonathan Sasi Sanogal, alias Ka Jeros of Squad SM, Puregold Platoon; Patrick Reovoca, alias Ka Kim of Squad Gaisano, Puregold Platoon; and Mario Reovoca, alias Mike/ Jaguar, a Squad Leader of the RSDG Platoon, all members of the NPA.
General Samson warned of potential further encounters if the rebel s con t i nue t heir armed resistance, emphasizing the strategic disadvantages faced by the rebels when leaving their mountain hideouts due to the influx of information to the military.
The clash, which occurred early Wednesday morning last week, involved the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion confronting at least 20 armed individuals, acting on intelligence about their presence in the area./