CAMP LUKBAN, CATBALOGAN CITY – Top Leaders of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) were identified as among six terrorists killed in an encounter in the hinterlands of Brgy Imelda, Las Navas, Northern Samar.
Helenita Pardales aka Elay or Selin, certain alias Biboy or Orlan, alias Mamoy, alias Caridad, alias Joshua, alias Boy were among the casualties identified by their former comrades according to Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm and 8th Infantry Division (8ID) spokesperson Capt Ryan Layug.
“Pinakita namin sa kanila ang mga pictures ng namatay and they positively identified them.” Capt Layug said.
Immediately after the encounter, soldiers on the ground requested for Air Force’s helicopters to airlift the dead bodies, processed them in the morgue, put on a coffin, blessed them, and waited for their family or relatives to be claimed. The bodies were then buried on November 26 when nobody claimed.
“Kahit kalaban natin iyan, kahit terorista ang mga iyan ay iginagalang natin sila, bigyan natin sila ng maayos na libing. Pero mas masaya sana kami kung bumaba nalang sila at sumuko,” said JTF Storm and 8ID Commander Maj Gen Camilo Ligayo.
“Ang mga taong ito ang nagpaplano ng terorismo sa buong rehiyon, sila din ang nag-uutos sa pagrecruit ng mga kabataan at pangongotong sa mga magsasaka, negosyante at mga manggawa,” Gen Ligayo added.
Military disclosed that Helenita Pardales aka Elay or Selin is the EV’s top terrorist holding the position of Secretary of EVRPC, she defines the direction of EVRPC and sets recruitment quotas both for combatants from farmer’s children and cadre from universities and colleges. She enforces the order of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines and gives the go signal on tactical offensives within EV.
Alias Biboy or Orlan heads the Regional Operations Command, he plans and supervises to ensure the successful implementation of a tactical offensive of all NPA units in the Region.
Meanwhile, the following are members of Regional Security Force (RSF) tasked to provide security to EVRPC’s leadership. Alias Mamoy, RSF top leader; alias Caridad, Finance Officer; alias Joshua, Team Leaders; alias Boy, Team Member.
“The death of these terrorist means justice to the people of Samar and Leyte they have terrorized for years. Matagal na po dapat umunlad ang Samar kung hindi dahil sa mga teroristang ito. Napakaganda ng islang ito (Samar) pati ang Leyte at Biliran.”
“Region 8 deserves to be on the map of top tourist destinations nandito ang pinakamasasarap na pagkain, magagandang beaches, historical na mga lugar at pinaka welcoming na mga tao yet nahuhuli tayo because of the presence of the CPP-NPA-NDF. Apat sa limang active Guerilla Fronts sa buong bansa nandito sa Samar. Kailangang wakasan na itong terorismo nila (CPP-NPA),” General Ligayo concluded.
The November 23, 2022 encounter not only left six CPP-NPA killed but 18 high-powered firearms, anti-personnel mines, grenades, laptops, cellphones, medicines, and notes were also seized by soldiers belonging to 803rd Infantry Brigade, he added. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
