Most wanted NPA leader on Negros Island slain in battle with Army

BACOLOD CITY — The most wanted leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Negros Island was killed Monday in a clash with government troops, a Philippine Army official said Tuesday.

Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Brigade Commander, said Romeo Nanta, the alleged commanding officer of the Regional Operational Command of the Negros Regional Committee was killed in a clash at Sitio Medel, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental.

Nante, alias Juanito Magbanua/Juaning/Jack, was also the alleged spokesperson of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, Pasaporte said.

He said troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion were conducting a hot pursuit operation in Carabalan after a series of clashes since Oct. 6 when they encountered about 10 NPA rebels. A 10-minute gunfight ensued that led to Nanta’s death at 5:25 p.m.

Pasaporte commended the 94 Infantry Battalion, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Van Donald Almonte, for tracking down the rebels, who splintered into small groups and catching up with the head of the NPA regional operational command on Negros Island.

“His death will surely bring a domino effect,” Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry Division Commander, said in a statement.

This is the fifth encounter recorded since last week between alleged NPA members and 94th IB troops in Carabalan.

At least two soldiers were killed and six others were injured in a series of armed confrontations between the military and communist rebels in Carabalan, prompting the evacuation of more than 1,700 residents.

Nanta was arrested in 2011 for murder, frustrated murder, robbery, and damage to properties, Pasaporte said.

Nanta was also tagged for the deaths of soldiers, police, Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit members, and civilians. He was also responsible for the ambush of police in Binalbagan early this year, Pasaporte said.

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