Top NPA leader killed in Negros Occidental clash —military

An alleged top leader of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with government troops on Monday in Negros Occidental, the military said Tuesday.

Killed in the 10-minute clash in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, was Romeo Nanta alias Juanito Magbanua, according to the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army in a news release.

Nanta, who is also known as Juaning and Jack, was the commanding officer of the Regional Operational Command of the Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros and spokesperson of the NPA's Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, the 3ID said.

"His death will surely bring a domino effect on the leadership, terroristic operations, and plans of the communist terrorists in Negros," said 3ID commander Major General Benedict Arevalo.

"Demoralization within the ranks of NPA under Nanta/'s command is also expected," he added.

The 3ID said the clash took place when troops chanced upon more or less 10 NPA rebels while conducting pursuit operations at the vicinity of Sitio Medel.

"This is the 5th encounter recorded since last week involving 94IB (Infantry Battalion) troops and NPA terrorists in Brgy Carabalan," the 3ID said.

"The firefight that ensued for about ten minutes resulted in the death of NPA's top leader and spokesman Romeo Nanta," it added.

In a separate statement, Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Brigade commander, said Nanta was "directly and indirectly responsible to the death of soldiers, policemen, CAFGUs and innocent civilians."

"He [was] also responsible in the ambush of PNP personnel in Binalbagan early this year," Pasaporte said.

Nanta was arrested in 2011 over criminal cases including murder and frustrated but was released on bail posted by "front organizations" of communist rebels.

"After jumping bail, he returned to the terrorist movement and was involved again in various terroristic atrocities," Pasaporte said of Nanta. —KBK, GMA News