MANILA, Philippines - An alleged leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) with a P2.5-million bounty for his capture was killed in an encounter with government security forces in Magallanes, Sorsogon.
Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala, head of the Army's 903rd Brigade, said the killing of Recto Golimlim, alias “Ka Cenon,†“Ka Pingko,†and “Ka Remus,†occurred Sunday last week, but was confirmed only yesterday by a civilian witness, who identified the NPA leader.
Soldiers recovered Golimlim’s body through the help of “Aspin†(asong Pinoy) trackers Monday afternoon in Barangay Lapinig, Magallanes town.
Kakilala said Golimlim, an explosive expert and second in command of the NPA Bicol regional party committee, was leading a band of rebels in the outskirts of Barangay Lapinig when they encountered the Army troops who were conducting patrol in the area.
Meanwhile, an alleged NPA leader was arrested in Tampakan town in South Cotabato on Friday.
Authorities said Felix Armodia, alias “King†and “Jade,†was arrested in the village of San Roque by operatives from the Army and the police.
Armodia, whose group reportedly operates in Davao del Sur and in North and South Cotabato, was arrested based on information supplied by a civilian.
The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said Armodia’s group was responsible for the series of attacks on agricultural plantation and construction firms in the region that refused to pay revolutionary taxes. – With Edith Regalado