BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A New People’s Army commander was killed in an encounter with government troopers in Barangay Mani-ak in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental yesterday.
Virgilio Marco Tamban of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda Lenovo Platoon of the Central Negros Front 1 and his unidentified comrade allegedly shot it out with law enforcers serving a warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The fatalities were abandoned by their fleeing comrades. Two caliber .45 pistols and a hand grenade were recovered at the scene.
Lt. Col. William Pesase, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, said Tamban’s group was behind the killing of several civilians, whom the rebel group accused of being military informants.
“Justice has been served to the innocent civilian victims killed by these CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA terrorists,” Pesase said.