An alleged ranking leader of the New People’s Army was killed during an armed encounter with government troops in Baybay City, Leyte, on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 8.
The 802nd Infantry “Peerless” Brigade said the clash occurred at around 3 p.m. in Barangay Caridad after troops received information from a concerned individual about the presence of Communist Terrorist Group members in the area.
The slain individual was identified as Erwin Murillo Maceda, alias “Romnick,” from Las Navas, Northern Samar. The 8th Infantry Division identified him as the alleged Vice Team Leader 1 of the Island Committee Levox under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
The military said troops proceeded to Barangay Caridad following the report, which led to the armed encounter. One high-powered firearm was seized during the operation.
According to the military, Maceda and his group were linked to alleged extortion and threats against residents and business owners, as well as attacks on government security installations in Leyte.
Brig. Gen. Pompeyo Jason M. Almagro, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, urged remaining CTG members to surrender and return to their families and communities.
Almagro said surrender would provide members an opportunity to return peacefully to their families and communities and urged them to reconsider their continued involvement with the group.
The 802nd Infantry Brigade said it would continue safeguarding communities and maintaining peace and security in the area while encouraging remaining CTG members to lay down their arms, surrender and return to the folds of the law.
