By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army identified on Friday the rebel killed during a recent clash in Samar province as notorious with multiple warrants of arrest and responsible for extorting local farmers.
The Army’s 802nd Infantry Battalion identified the slain rebel as a former secretary of south Samar 1 front committee, a dismantled unit under the New People’s Army Eastern Visayas regional party committee. Known by aliases “Basil,” “Homer” and “Bitoy,” he was described by authorities as a notorious communist terrorist group leader long wanted for a string of violent crimes.
“He was notorious in extortion activities targeting local farmers and residents in the southern part of Samar province. He also has a pending warrant of arrest for multiple attempted murder, murder and frustrated murder cases at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 30 in Basey, Samar,” the Army statement said.
The NPA leader was killed in a clash with soldiers in the mountains of Barangay Cabalagnan, Hinabangan, Samar on Feb. 25, 2026.
Citing reports from villagers about the presence of armed men in the area illegally occupying portions of their farmlands and forcibly extorting a share of their harvests, troops from the 63rd Infantry Battalion were dispatched to verify the information.
Upon arriving at the scene, government forces encountered the armed group, triggering a 20-minute exchange of gunfire.
Recovered from the encounter site were an M16 rifle, a magazine, ammunition and other war materiel believed to have been used in insurgent operations.
Brig. Gen. Pompeyo Jason Almagro, commander of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, ordered hot pursuit operations to track down the remaining members of the group and prevent further threats to nearby communities.
“We have received various reports from the community regarding the presence of these armed CTG (communist terrorist group) members who continue to sow fear among residents. They have been conducting extortion activities against small farmers to sustain themselves in the mountains. We will not allow these kinds of activities to persist,” Almagro said.
Meanwhile, Hinabangan Mayor Clarito Rosal, in a statement, reiterated the local government’s openness to coordinating with former rebels willing to surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.
He encouraged remaining NPA members to avail themselves of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and the National Amnesty Program, noting that many former insurgents who chose peace are now leading better lives. (PNA)
