3 suspected rebels killed in Leyte encounter
Three suspected communist rebels were killed in an encounter with government troops in Carigara, Leyte, the Philippine Army said Wednesday.
The military identified the fatalities as Juanito Sellesa Jr. alias Tibor, alleged to be an executive member of Island Committee LEVOX of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
The other two fatalities were identified as Eugene Paclita alias Dimple, said to be a squad leader, and Lito Delante alias Dodong, a member of the same squad of the said New People's Army unit.
They were killed in the hinterlands of Barangay Cogon on June 18.
The military also seized one M16 rifle with two long magazines, one caliber .45 pistol with two magazines, one hand grenade, personal belongings, and subversive documents.
Tibor and his group were wanted for allegedly murdering Jesus Sarcilla alias Sosing in Barangay Binibihan, Carigara, Leyte on December 7, 2021.
They are also facing charges for violating the International Humanitarian Law before the Commission on Human Rights Regional Office 8.
'Ang pagkaka neutralized sa tatlong ito lalong lalo na kay alias Tibor ay nagsilbing hustisya para sa pamilya ni Jesus Sarcilla na walang awang pinatay sa harap ng kanyang anak,' said Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, Philippine Army commander of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade.
(The neutralization of the three men serves as justice for the family of Jesus Sarcilla, who was mercilessly killed in front of his son.)
'Hindi man niya hinarap ang batas sa kanyang krimen, hinarap naman niya ang bangis ng mga sundalo na naghatid sa kanya sa kanyang huling hantungan,' he added.
(Although he did not face the consequence for his crime, he did face the brutality of the soldiers who brought him to his death.)
Meanwhile, Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division, condemned the continued recruitment of communist rebel groups in Eastern Visayas.
He also urged the public to keep supporting the government and deny any presence of insurgency in their area.
'There is nothing revolutionary in turning your future into tools of violence. To the insurgents, there is no honor in deceiving the people with your false ideals and promises while you selfishly use them as pawns in your senseless armed struggle,' Orio said.
'As the Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, I strongly condemn these atrocities, and I will not allow these insurgents to steal the opportunity of building a progressive Eastern Visayas,' he added. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
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