The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has identified its members killed in an encounter with government forces in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 19.
In a statement on Monday, April 26, the CPP honored the slain New People’s Army (NPA) fighters. These included Roger Fabillar (Ka Tapang), commander of the Northern Negros Front, along with several others from different areas in Negros.
Among those named were Sonny Boy Caramihan of San Carlos City; Rene Villarin Sr. of Calatrava; Pedro Bonghanoy of Escalante City; Arnel Javoc of Calatrava; Joros Caramihan y Ramos of Don Salvador Benedicto; Maria Clarita Branzuel Blanco (Ka Sanim/Pat); Genevieve Balora (Ka Raia) of Bacolod City; Labskie Purisimia Enustacion of Toboso; and Jocel Gimang of Escalante City.
The CPP expressed condolences to the families of the slain fighters, describing them as individuals who served peasants and farmworkers in Negros.
It also acknowledged that the NPA “suffered a tactical defeat” in the encounter but said it remains committed to its armed struggle.
The group likewise extended condolences to other individuals it said were killed in the incident.
These included Roel Sabillo of Toboso; R.J. Nichole Ledesma, a community journalist from Bacolod City; Alyssa Alano, a councilor of the University of the Philippines Diliman Student Council; Maureen Keil Santuyo of the National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates youth sector; Errol Wendel of the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura; Jemina Gumadlas of Barangay Salamanca; Lyle Prijoles of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines; Kai Sorem from the United States; and Dexter Patajo of Calatrava.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maintained that those killed were armed and engaged government troops.*
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, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.