MAKILALA, NORTH COTABATO – The military claimed it neutralized two suspected leaders of the new People’s Army whom they suspected to have killed a pregnant cop several years back.
Colonel Ezra Balagtey, commnader of the 39th Infantry Battalion station in the borders of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur in a press statement said “Most wanted NPA leader and his comrade were killed in a clash between the government troops of 39th Infantry Battalion” on April 13, 2022 at around 8pm at Sitio Panopio, Brgy Malasila, Makilala, North Cotabato.
The encounter ensued when personnel from 39IB monitored the coordination between the leadership of Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) and the Dismantled Pulang Bagani Command (DPBC), on the atrocity to be perpetrated in the area.
A 5-minute gunbattle occurred when the responding troops chanced upon the armed men who fired the first shot.
The military identified the suspected rebels as Roberto Castillote alias “Enoy”, Commanding Officer and Jovilito Yambanao alias “Joven”, Political Guide, both from the Dismantled Pulang Bagani Command (DPBC), Southern Regional Committee (SRC) 3, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) of the New People’s Army (NPA).
39IB troops also seized one (1) Uzi Sub-machine gun, two (2) improvised landmine, one (1) hand grenade and container with gasoline.
Alias “Enoy” has existing arrest warrants for attempted murder, double attempted murder, frustrated murder, murder, slight illegal detention, robbery, robbery with homicide and violation of the RA 7610 (Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination).
It can be recalled that alias “Enoy” was responsible to an ambush involving four (4) SOCO personnel who were supposed to investigate a shooting incident involving the armed group on March 8, 2017 in Bansalan, Davao del Sur. The ambush resulted to the early demise of the four (4) SOCO personnel where one was confirmed as pregnant.
Balagtey stressed “The death of alias “Enoy” gave justice to the victims of his atrocities including an innocent child that was never been born to see the goodness of the world.”-PTP/Newsline
