Female NPA leader, two others killed in Batangas

AFEMALE high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) and two of her comrades were killed during a clash with army soldiers in Rosario, Batangas, on Tuesday, March 26.

Maj. Michael Malacad, officer in charge of the Public Affairs Office of the 2nd Infantry Division, identified the NPA leader as Junalice Arante-Isita alias Arya, secretary of the sub-Regional Military Area 4C (SRMA-4C).

The two other slain NPA members were Bernardo Bagaas alias John Paul, logistics officer of SRMA-4C, and Erickson Bedonia alias Ricky, member of SRMA-4C.

Malacad said members of the 59th Infantry Battalion of the 201st Infantry Brigade led by Brig. Gen. Erwin Alea were on a combat operation when they chanced upon a terrorist group in Barangay Leviste.

The meeting sparked a firefight lasting for about 30 minutes. The rebels withdrew, leaving Isita and two others behind.

Malacad said Isita was the wife of Isagani Isita alias Yano, leader of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Sinag 2, who died on July 30 last year following a shootout with authorities.

He said Isita was a resident of Barangay Banaba, Padre Garcia, Batangas, who graduated from Lipa City National Science High School and studied Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science at the University of the Philippines, Manila.

Records also showed that Isita was a political instructor of KLG Kidzania of the STRPC’s Main Regional Guerrilla Unit and head TIG of the KLG Silagan.

Malacad said Isita has a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 7 in Batangas City for violating Republic Act 11479, or the “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.”

The government troops recovered one M16 rifle, one baby armalite, one M4 Bushmaster rifle, six jungle packs and wire for improvised explosive devices.

Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong, Army’s 2nd Infantry Division commander, condoled with the families of the killed communist terrorist group (CTG) members.

He also commended the support of the locals for providing the information and helping the military in the area.

Capulong underscored the efforts of the 2nd Infantry Division to combat NPA recruitment activities, noting that through various community programs and educational campaigns, the military is actively working to dissuade individuals from joining the CTG, aiming to create resilient and informed communities that are resistant to extremist ideologies.