Two key remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in central Negros killed in a clash with troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, August 22, have been identified.
The 94IB identified the fatalities as Joan Lacio “Mark” Encarnacion, 31, and Jolina “Chloe” Martinez Sergio, 30, vice commanding officer and political instructor, respectively, of Central Negros 2, Sentro de Grabidad Platoon.
“They are a couple who were married by the rebel movement,” Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, public affairs division chief of the 3rd Infantry Division, said Friday.
The couple, who are residents of Sitio Cantupa, were married in 2017 in Sitio Bunsad, Barangay Buenavista.
They were wanted for attempted murder and homicide, the 94IB said.
Their group was allegedly extorting from sugarcane farmers, project workers and quarry operators in their area of operation.
The 94IB report said after the troops were informed by residents about the rebels’ presence in Sitio Pisok, they conducted a security patrol that resulted in a gunbattle with a group of five NPA rebels.
Three others fled, leaving behind the bodies of their two comrades along with an M-6 rifle and M-14 rifle, both with magazines and assorted rounds of live ammunition.
Lt. Col. Ziegfred Tayaban, 94IB commanding officer, said joining the communist rebel movement “only leads to a life of exploitation and terror”.
“There is no honor in aligning with a group that undermines and oppresses communities,” he said.
He said the 94IB will coordinate with the local government unit and the families of the two NPA rebels for the burial arrangements.*PNA