Alleged NPA commander among killed in Sorsogon clash

LEGAZPI CITY — An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) commander was among the four rebels killed in an ongoing firefight with Army soldiers in a remote village in Matnog town in Sorsogon province, Maj. Ricky Aguilar, Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division public affairs chief, said Sunday.

Killed was Robert Estiller, aka “Cindy/Meo,” commanding officer of the NPA Sentro De Garbidad (SDG), Larangan 2, operating in Sorsogon. Estiller’s three other companions who were also slain in the armed encounter are yet to be identified, Aguilar said.

The body of the slain NPA commander and his companions are now in the custody of the Army and would be turned over to the Matnog police for disposition.

The encounter broke out at around 7:15 a.m. Sunday between Army soldiers and suspected NPA rebels in Barangay (village) Tugas (not Calpi as earlier reported).

Aguilar said pursuit operation was still ongoing on Sunday afternoon for the remaining NPA group members led by Estiller who fled to the mountainous areas of the town.

Recovered from the scene were four high powered firearms, including an M203 rifle, police report said.

Police checkpoints were set up in strategic areas and police forces were on standby for possible reinforcement.

Edited by JE