CAMP DOWNES, Ormoc City -- Troops of the 93rd Infantry (Bantay Kapayapaan) Battalion, Philippine Army, engaged remnants of Squad 2, Island Committee (IC) Levox of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) in an armed encounter in the hinterlands of Barangay Cogon, Carigara, Leyte on June 18, 2025.
The firefight resulted in the deaths of three members of the said group.
Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Saclot, commanding officer of the 93rd Infantry Battalion, identified the casualties as Juanito P. Sellesa Jr., alias Tibor, an executive committee member of IC Levox; Eugene Paclita, alias Dimple, squad leader of Squad 2; and Lito D. Laurente, alias Dodong, a squad member.
Seized from the group’s temporary hideout were one M16 rifle with two long magazines, one caliber .45 pistol with two magazines, one hand grenade, personal belongings, and subversive documents.
Alias Tibor and his group were wanted for the killing of Jesus Sarcilla, also known as Sosing, in Barangay Binibihan, Carigara, Leyte on Dec. 7, 2021.
Sarcilla was killed in front of his daughter, Zosima Sarcilla, despite having previously provided food and shelter to the group.
Apart from criminal charges filed before the Regional Trial Court, a case for violating international humanitarian law has also been filed against Tibor’s group at Branch 48 of the Regional Prosecution Office 8 of the Commission on Human Rights Regional Office 8.
Brigadier General Noel A. Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, Philippine Army, commended the troops of the 93IB for the successful operation that led to the neutralization of the top-ranking IC Levox leader and his comrades.
“Ang pagkaka-neutralize sa tatlong ito, lalong-lalo na kay alias Tibor, ay nagsilbing hustisya para sa pamilya ni Jesus Sarcilla na walang awang pinatay sa harap ng kanyang anak. Panandalian man niyang natakasan ang batas at makaiwas sa pagharap sa hustisyang matagal nang isinisigaw ng pamilya at mga kaanak ng kanyang naging biktima, ito din ang naghatid sa kanya sa kanyang huling hantungan,” Vestuir said.
Vestuir reiterated his warning to the remnants of IC Levox to lay down their arms and abandon the armed struggle.
“Our ultimatum for them to abandon the armed struggle is still in effect until the end of the month. We urge them to never miss this opportunity to be with their families and avail themselves of government programs. But if they continue to pursue the path of bloody revolution, they must prepare to suffer the same bloody end as their comrades in Carigara, Leyte,” Vestuir said. (PR)