Most wanted NPA leader, follower killed in clash

TWO New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, including the most wanted NPA leader, were killed in a clash with the 39th Infantry Battalion (IB) troopers in the Makilala, North Cotabato, a top military official announced Thursday, April 14, 2022.

Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey, 39IB commander, said the clash around 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Sitio Panopio in Malasila village, Makilala, when personnel from 39IB monitored the coordination between the leadership of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) and the Dismantled Pulang Bagani Command (DPBC), on the atrocity to be perpetrated in the area.

Balagtey said that a five-minute gun battle occurred when the responding 39IB troopers chanced upon the NPA rebels who fired the first shot.

He said that the firefight resulted to the death of Roberto Castillote alias “Enoy”, Commanding Officer and Jovilito Yambanao alias “Joven", Political Guide, both from the DPBC, Southern Regional Committee (SRC) 3, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) of the NPA.

The 39IB troops recovered one Uzi Sub-machine gun, two improvised landmines, one hand grenade and container with gasoline.

Balagtey said that Castillote has existing arrest warrants for attempted murder, double attempted murder, frustrated murder, murder, slight illegal detention, robbery, robbery with homicide and violation of the Republic Act 7610 known as the Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination.

Balagtey said that Castillote was responsible to an ambush involving four Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) who were supposed to investigate a shooting incident involving the armed group on March 8, 2017 in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

The ambush resulted to the death of the four SOCO personnel where one was confirmed as pregnant.

“The death of alias “Enoy” gave justice to the victims of his atrocities including an innocent child that was never been born to see the goodness of the world. Truly, this success means the end of the road for the innocent killer which further prevent the CPP-NPA-NDF to revive the PBC,” Balagtey said

“Rest assured that the government forces will remain vigilant against this terrorist group planning to incite violence and spoil the peace and development efforts of the government in the locality.” Balagtey added.

Castillote took the lead of the dismantled PBC after a decisive engagement against alias “Maruz”, Secretary of PBC, on May 21, 2021 at Sitio Upper Lukatong in Biangan village, Makilala. (SunStar Zamboanga)

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