CASTILLA, SORSOGON, Philippines — The death of Jose Arnel Estiller, 57, who was regarded as the highest-ranking official of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sorsogon, is expected to lead to the possible surrender of his comrades, a military officer said Wednesday, July 3.
Brigadier General Ricky Laniog, commander of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, told Inquirer in an interview that after Estiller, also known as “Mando,” “Arnel,” and “Ariston,” was “neutralized,” they expect more rebels to come out in the open and voluntarily surrender to government forces,” he said.
READ: Gov’t soldiers, NPA rebels clash in Sorsogon
The rebel leader was killed in a clash in Juban town in Sorsogon on Tuesday, July 2, Major Frank Roldan, spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said in a report Wednesday. The Army reported that the 22nd Infantry Battalion had a 30-minute firefight with three NPA rebels in Barangay (village) Biriran at around 5:20 a.m.
Estiller was the secretary of the Sub-regional Committee 3 of Bicol Regional Party Committee, the highest-ranking official of NPA in Sorsogon. He was identified by his relatives after the encounter.
He joined the NPA in 1985 and was facing multiple murder and frustrated murder charges.
His son, Jose Marie, aka “Maria”/“Bagi,” also a leader of a guerilla unit in Sorsogon, was recently arrested in Batangas, the military said.
Laniog said that with a strengthened Integrated Territorial Defense System and continuous combat patrols, insurgency activities in the province have significantly weakened.
“This is timely for the upcoming midterm elections, wherein candidates can freely visit villages during campaign period without fear. In fact, several camps and detachments have been established in different areas,” Laniog stressed.
Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Andre Dizon, Bicol police chief, stated in a separate interview with the Inquirer that they have activated random checkpoints and chokepoints across the entire region.
“This is one way of preventing crime, police visibility significantly contributes to the peace and order situation,” Dizon said.
Dizon also reminded gun owners to renew their licenses to avoid legal issues. For those unable to do so immediately, they can visit police stations for the safekeeping of their firearms.
“The directive from the PNP (Philippine National Police) chief is to crack down on loose firearms, as they can be exploited by potential private armed groups or criminals, especially with the midterm elections approaching,” he added.