A REGIONAL leader of a communist terrorist group operating in Panay island together with his comrade died in a shootout with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) elements at Providence Subdivision, Barangay Balabag, Pavia, Iloilo on May 28, 2021.
The military identified the subject of the operation as Reynaldo Bocala alias Bading, head of the Regional Finance Bureau, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P), and the husband of Maria Concepcion "Concha" Araneta, deputy secretary of the Communist Part of the Philippines-New People's Army's (CPP-NPA's) KR-P.
Bocala was killed Friday night while rebelliously fighting back with authorities serving four warrants of arrest against him, which also resulted in the death of his companion named Welly Epago Arguelles of Barangay North Baluarte Molo, the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army reported.
Recovered from the said area were two Caliber .45 Pistols, one laptop, and five cellular phones.
Bocala was accused of robbery in band with frustrated homicide and damage to property using motor vehicle and unlicensed firearms issued by Judge Susan Medina-Alcantara of 15th Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) in Guimbal, Iloilo on July 12, 2004, with bail bond fixed at P200,000.
He was also the subject of an arrest warrant for Robbery with Serious Physical Injuries issued by Judge Teodulo A. Colada of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 67, Guimbal, Iloilo on February 4, 2005, with bail bond fixed at P180,000.
Bocala was also accused of violating Presidential Decree 1744 or destructive arson, as amended by Republic Act 7659 issued by Honorable Teodulo A. Colada of RTC Branch 67, Guimbal, Iloilo on February 21, 2005, with no bail recommended.
He was also indicted of murder issued by Judge Ma. Monina Misajon of MCTC Judge, Province of Antique, dated April 16, 1990, with no bail recommended.
Bocala was the former finance officer of Kilusang Rehiyon Panay; former deputy secretary of the Southern Front Committee (SFC), Panay Regional Party Committee (PRPC); former secretary of SFC, PRPC; former head of the Regional Operational Department of PRPC; and former secretary of PRPC in 2001.
Major General Eric Vinoya, commander of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, said the death of one of the top-ranking officials of the CPP-NPA manifested that the long arms of the law will always prevail in bringing to justice those that have violated it. The death of Bocala is also a "giant leap" in the government's anti-insurgency campaign as the death of Bocala will further crack the CPP-NPA in Panay after the continuous dwindling of leaders.
"Bocala is a notorious terrorist; thus, his death is a victory not only for the government's law enforcement operation but also for the people of Panay who suffered much from the cruelty of the communist terrorists. This is also justice for all the victims of their atrocities and criminal activities," Vinoya said.
"Together with our counterparts from the PNP, your Army will fight against the insurgents more aggressively until the last terrorist is brought to justice. The Panayanons deserve to live peacefully, away from the extortion, intimidation, and the terroristic activities of the CPP NPAs," Vinoya added.