AFP: Negros NPA leader slain in clash

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The military confirmed yesterday the death of a New People’s Army (NPA) leader in the Visayas following an encounter with government troopers at the boundary of Binalbagan and Isabela in Negros Occidental on Thursday.

The remains of Rogelio Posadas, secretary of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, were positively identified by his former comrades, Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

The military said two pistols, magazines and ammunition, two blasting caps, a backpack, personal belongings, assorted medicine and subversive documents, including extortion letters, were  among those recovered at the site of the encounter during clearing operations.

Posadas was tagged in various atrocities, including murders, kidnappings and arson.

His death came six months after NPA-Negros regional commander Juanito Magbanua was killed in an encounter with soldiers in Himamaylan City.

The National Democratic Front said Posadas and his companions, who were on two motorcycles, have been missing since April 19 after they were intercepted by soldiers in Sitio Jalandoon, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan.