7 NPA rebels slain in Antique clash

Seven suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with government troopers in San Jose town in Antique yesterday.

Six of the fatalities were identified as Karen Ceralvo, a resident of Kalibo; Liezel Bandola of Nabas, both in Aklan; Felix Salditos of Ilog, Negros Occidental; Jason Sanchez of Tubungan, Rene Yap of Leganes and Jason Talibo of Igbaras, all in Iloilo.

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, Western Visayas police director, said the rebels fired at soldiers and personnel of the San Jose police serving a warrant of arrest for frustrated murder against Talibo and Jovel, also surnamed Ceralvo, at a house in Barangay Atabay at past midnight. Jovel managed to escape. There was no reported casualty on the side of the government.

Bulalacao said three hand grenades, a shotgun, two laptops, assorted gadgets, ammunition, identification and ATM cards, extortion letters, subversive documents, medicine and P34,601 in cash were among those recovered from the fatalities.

Bulalacao said the seized items were proof that NPA rebels were victimizing residents and businessmen on Panay island.

Gov’t employee gunned down

Meanwhile, four suspected NPA hitmen killed government employee Michol Ruales in Barangay Guinpana-an, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.

Chief Inspector Edfel Balibadlan, Moises Padilla police chief, said Ruales had just picked up his daughter from school and were on their way home when he was shot.

In a statement issued yesterday, the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command claimed responsibility for the killing, saying Ruales was involved in the murder of Jerry Turga, a leader of the Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas, last April.

The NPA said Ruales also allowed himself to be used by the military in counterinsurgency operations in Negros.