Three alleged members of the New People's Army (NPA) including a top ranking communist leader were killed in an encounter with military forces in Leyte on Wednesday.

In a phone interview with the Daily Manila Shimbun, Major Jefferson Mariano, Army's 8th Infantry Division public affairs office chief said the troops of 93rd Infantry Battalion encounter the members of the Squad 2, Island Committee (IC) LEVOX of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) in a combat operation in the hinterlands of Barangay Cogon, Carigara, Leyte.

He said the operation was launched in response to the reported presence of around five to seven rebels in the area.

Mariano identified one of the fatalities as Juanito Sellesa Jr., alias Tibor, an executive member of Island Committee (IC) LEVOX; while the other two were identified as Eugene Paclita, alias Dimple, the squad leader of Squad 2, and Lito Delante, alias Dodong, a member of the same squad.

He noted that "Tibor and his group were wanted for the crime of murder killing Jesus Sarcilla alias Sosing in Barangay Binibihan, Carigara, Leyte on December 07, 2021."

"Sarcilla was killed mercilessly in front of his daughter Zosima Sarcilla despite the goodwill extended by the victim to the said terrorist group by providing them food and shelter," he said.

"Apart from the criminal charges filed at the Regional Trial Court, a case for violating International Humanitarian Law has been filed against Tibor's group at Branch 48, Regional Prosecution Office 8 of Commission on Human Rights Regional Office 8," Mariano added.

The clash that lasted for about 15 minutes also resulted in the recovery of one M16 rifle with two long magazines, one caliber .45 pistol with two magazines, one hand grenade, personal belongings, and subversive documents from the NPA combatants.

Mariano said the dead rebels were turned over to the local government of Carigara, Leyte while the military forces are continuously conducting pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels.

Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, Army's 8th Infantry Division Commander reiterated his call to the remaining NPA members to surrender to the government, highlighting the promising future that awaits them if they yield arms.

“I assure you that there is no haven for terrorism in 8ID’s areas of operations. To those still in the ranks of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), let there be no more lives wasted in armed struggle. Surrender now, return to your families, and choose the path of peace while there is still time,” he said. Robina Asido/DMS