Government troops engaged in a firefight with suspected members of the Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS) in Hacienda Paraiso, Barangay Caduha-an, Cadiz City in Negros Occidental, on March 8, 2025, killing two individuals believed to be key figures of the group.
The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) reported that their troops encountered around seven suspected insurgents at approximately 1:51 am during an eight-minute clash.
The firefight resulted in the deaths of Hans Ponteras, also known as Jojo/Lance/Teddy/Mojo, and Marissa Pobresa, also known as Kim/Renz/Mia, the military reported.
Authorities identified Ponteras as an acting regional front secretary and finance officer, while Pobresa served as the group’s regional communication officer.
The military said that the operation followed an earlier encounter on February 13, 2025, in the same barangay, where troops wounded another suspected member.
Ponteras, who was believed to have previously lived in Sitio Tapol, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan, had multiple outstanding warrants for attempted murder.
Troops seized several items from the site, including an M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, a laptop, a hand grenade, various ammunition, and documents allegedly linked to the group’s activities.
In a news dispatch, Lieutenant Colonel Arnel P. Calaoagan, commander of the 79IB, emphasized the significance of the operation in addressing insurgency in Negros Occidental.
“The neutralization of their sitting Regional Front Secretary at the same time Regional Finance Officer and their Communications Officer signals their nearly decimation, which further destroys and puts their leaderless band of bandits to include their capability to become futile and hopeless,” part of his statement read.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.