BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) leader tagged in the killing of four police officers in Ayungon, Negros Oriental last year was killed in an alleged shootout with government troopers in Barangay Dancalan, Ilog, Negros Occidental on Monday.
Maj. Cenon Pancito III, 3rd Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said Mitchel Fat, leader of an NPA group operating in Central Visayas, fired at police and military personnel serving arrest warrants issued by Bais City Regional Trial Court Branch 75.
Pancito said Fat was declared dead on arrival at the Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital.
Capt. Mark Joel Reclamado, Ilog police officer-in-charge, said Fat, had pending arrest warrants for violation of Republic Act 9851 or the Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other Crimes against Humanity.
In Zambales, Brig. Gen. Andrew Costelo, 703rd Infantry Brigade commander, said five NPA rebels were arrested and four minors were rescued following a clash with government troopers in Sitio Lomibao, Barangay Buhawen in San Marcelino town.