THREE persons appeared at the Toril Police Station on Sunday and claimed the suspected member of the New People's Army (NPA) killed in a firefight with government troops in Davao City last Saturday was their relative.
Nicolas Adllanosa Villafranca, 45; Vilmor Villafranca Tangaan, 27; and Dyna Villafranca Tangaan, 19, all residents of Kidapawan City, told police that the true identity of the slain NPA rebel is Marlon Villafranca Tangaan, 22, who hails from the same place.
The slain NPA rebel reportedly asked for their permission a year ago to work in a construction company in Davao City.
They said an unidentified person called them and informed them of the incident.
The body of the slain rebel was claimed by his relatives and was brought back to their hometown in Kidapawan for internment.
A gunbattle ensued after suspected NPA rebels attempted to ambush barangay Daliao officials last Saturday.
But village chief Generoso Bacalso and village council member Ducris Daag survived the ambush attempt and were brought to the hospital.
Troops from the Army's 84th Infantry Battalion responded to the incident that resulted to the death of an alleged NPA rebel and recovery of a M653 rifle. (KRP)