Top NPA leader in Negros killed in gun battle

Photo for representation only.

BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA

BACOLOD City – A top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental was killed following a gun battle with pursuing government forces in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City on Monday afternoon, Oct. 10.

The latest clash was the fifth in six days of running gun battles that have already claimed the lives of two soldiers and wounded six others.

It has also forced the evacuation of 15,000 individuals.

Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde), identified the fatality as Romeo Nanta alias “Ka Juanito Magbanua”, commanding officer of the Regional Operational Command of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, as well as spokesperson of the NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Command.

Nanta had several pending arrest warrants for murder, frustrated murder, robbery, and damage to property.

He was also believed to be directly responsible for the assassination of soldiers, law enforcement officials and civilians.

Nanta was arrested back in 2011 but was released after posting bail.

Captain Mervin Rosal, head of the 303IBde’s Civil Military Operations, said Nanta’s remains were found by soldiers from the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB).

The 94IB, along with several other Army and police units, has been pursuing the rebels for several days already, and the insurgents were reported to have split up into smaller groups to throw off their pursuers.

According to Rosal, the gun battle began at around 5:25 p.m. and lasted for at least 10 minutes.

The rebels managed to flee, leaving behind Nanta’s body.

Pasaporte, meanwhile, praised the 94IB, including its commander, Lieutenant Colonel Van Donald Almonte.

“Nanta’s death should serve as a reminder that no one can escape the long arm of the law,” Pasaporte said./PN 

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