2 NPA leaders among Samar clash fatalities

TACLOBAN, Philippines — Two of six suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas killed in an encounter in Las Navas, Northern Samar on Monday were ranking leaders of the communist group, according to the military.

The remains of James Arandia, Maricar Asinas, Ariel Baselga, Renar Diaz, Rey Tafalla and an alias Kagid were recovered at the scene of the firefight that occurred in Barangay Paco on Monday.

Capt. Jefferson Mariano, chief of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division public affairs office, said the slain rebels were positively identified by their former comrades.

Mariano said Baselga was secretary of the NPA’s subregional committee and Diaz was vice commander of the subregional operations command of the SRC.