10 key NPA leaders in Negros Occ yield

BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines  —Ten self-confessed members of the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), most of whom occupied key positions in the organization, had surrendered last week, the military said.  Lt. Col. Isabelo de los Reyes, 303rd Infantry Brigade civil-military operations officer, said almost all of the 10 rebels who gave up the armed struggle were party members, squad leaders, finance, logistic and medical officers of the Northern Negros Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros.

Eight of the 10 returnees were identified as Freddie Sanchez alias Ka Warboy, Mary Jane Baynosa alias Ka Shyna, Romy Olite alias KaJob, Ronel Gonzaga alias Ka Dino, John Rey Charita alias Ka JB/RC, Jonesia Charita, Paulino Aton and Ronald Aton, of Toboso and Calatrava, said de los Reyes.

After their surrender, a series of encounters between the military and the rebels occurred in the hinterlands of Toboso, Calatrava and Escalante City in Negros Occidental early last week, he said.

Three suspected rebels, including a barangay kagawad, were captured by 62nd IB soldiers Tuesday during a gunbattle in Brgy.Bandila Toboso town, he said.