ILOILO City – A female member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an armed clash with government forces in Barangay Lahug, Tapaz, Capiz on Saturday afternoon, September 13.
The fatality was identified as Christine May Capaducio, known by her aliases “Sheryl” and “Puday,” of Barangay Carara-an, Leon, Iloilo. She was a member of the Central Front and Regional Sentro de Grabidad, Komiteng Rehiyon–Panay (KR-P). Her mother, Lucia, later confirmed her identity.
Capaducio was killed when her group engaged soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) in a firefight around 1:15 p.m. in the mountainous area of Barangay Lahug. Troops recovered an M16 Armalite rifle at the scene.
Colonel Erwin Rommel Lamzon, spokesperson of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said the 61IB, supported by the 12th IB, 82nd IB, and the 31st Division Reconnaissance Company, was conducting focused military operations to counter NPA activities in the area.
“The swift and coordinated response of government forces disrupted the enemy’s activities and reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in Panay Island,” Lamzon said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Jekyll Julian Dulawan, commanding officer of the 61IB, appealed to families of remaining NPA members to convince their loved ones to return to the fold of the law.
“Ako’y taos-pusong nananawagan sa mga pamilya ng mga nasa armadong grupo na tulungan ninyo ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay na magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan. Mayroong mas magandang buhay na naghihintay para sa kanila. Handa ang gobyerno na tumulong sa kanila na magbago at mamuhay nang mapayapa at may dignidad,” Dulawan said.
Saturday’s clash was the fifth encounter in Tapaz in just two months. On August 22, government troops clashed with rebels in barangays Agpalali, Artuz, and Tabon, where a soldier was wounded. On August 25, another encounter in Barangay Agpalali resulted in the death of Sgt. Jhon Ray Coopera of the 12IB, a native of Barangay Bitoon, Jaro, Iloilo City, while casualties on the rebel side remain unconfirmed./PN
