BONGABON, Nueva Ecija – Five out of seven Communist Terrorist Group personalities belonging to the members of the Komiteng Rehiyong Gitnang Luzon who were killed in an armed encounter with the soldiers of 84th Infantry (Victorious) Battalion, Philippine Army in Barangay Malbang, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija yesterday, June 26.
As of 11:00 in the morning today, June 27, the five were identified as Hilario Guiuo alias ‘Berting’, Acting Secretary of KRGL, and Commander, Regional Operational Command; Harold Sarenas Meñosa alias ‘Luzon’, Commander, Pltn Silangan Gitnang Luzon; Pepito Trinidad Bautista alias ‘Dylan’ Team Leader, Sqd Tersera, Pltn Silangan Gitnang Luzon; Reynan Mendoza alias ‘Mel’, and Archie Anceta alias ‘Joel’.
The authorities are trying to identify the remaining two (2) personalities who also died during the encounter.
During the encounter, soldiers recovered 10 high-powered firearms, one low-powered firearm, subversive documents, and personal belongings from the encounter site.
Meanwhile, upon the troops’ continuous search in the area this morning, they found three more female cadavers and four (4) firearms.
Two of them were identified as Andrie Dela Cruz alias ‘Lay/Rowen/Lunti’, Political Instructor of Platun Silangan Gitnang Luzon; and Azase Galang alias ‘Cha’; while the other female was yet to be identified by the authorities.
These female casualties were found a few meters away from the exit route. Troops’ believed that they were abandoned by their comrades when they withdrew from the encounter site.
Brigadier General Joseph Norwin D. Pasamonte PA, Commander, 703rd Infantry (Agila) Brigade, commended the Victorious Battalion for their victory against the CTG in Nueva Ecija and for their commitment to preserve the peace and security in the area.
“We would like to express our sympathy to the bereaved families of those who died and I am saddened that they reached to this point. Hindi nagkukulang ang gobyerno sa panawagan na sumuko na at magbagong buhay. Handa ang gobyernong tanggapin ang may gustong yakapin ang kapayapaan para makapiling ang kanilang pamilya. Nawa’y magsilbi itong aral sa mga natitirang CTG na ipinaglalaban ang kanilang huwad na ideolohiya. Tama na po, bumaba na kayo,” BGen. Pasamonte said.
As of this writing, all casualties were brought to the nearest funeral homes in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija to give them proper burial and later to be turned over to their respective families.
BGen. Pasamonte then reiterates his call to the remaining members of the CTG to surrender and give peace a chance.
