Alleged leader of rebel group dies in clash with soldiers in Samar

Eastern Samar map. INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY — A ranking rebel leader died in an encounter with government troops in a remote village of Borongan City in Eastern Samar on Saturday, Jan. 6.

Martin Colima, also known as alias “Moki,” the secretary of the sub-regional committee-Sesame, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee in Eastern Samar province, suffered gunshot wounds in the body.

A soldier, Cpl. John Deo Adao, was hit on his left thigh and is now recovering in an undisclosed hospital.

The soldiers were in San Gabriel after receiving a report from the villagers that a group of armed men were conducting extortion activities in the area.

READ: 2 suspected NPA rebels killed in Northern Samar clash

Lt. Col. Allan Tria, commanding officer of the 78th Infantry Brigade, said Colima was the mastermind in the ambush of a policeman and three civilians along the national highway in Baranga. Libuton, also in Borongan City, on Dec. 13, 2019.

At least 12 civilians, including three minors, were wounded in the incident.