NAPATAY ang pinakamataas na lider ng Communist New People’s Army sa lalawigan ng Bohol gayundin ang apat na iba pa sa inilunsad na joint combat operation ng military at pulisya sa Barangay Campagao, Bilar Bohol.

Sa inisyal report na ibinahagi ni AFP Visayas Command chief, Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, na-neyutralisa ng kanilang mga tauhan katuwang ang PNP-Bohol PPO, si Domingo Jaspe Compoc aka “Silong”, ang top NPA leader sa Bohol, at apat pang nalalabing kasapi ng NPA’s Bohol Party Committee (BPC).

Si Domingo Compoc, alyas “Eloy”, “Cobra”, “Jing” na tumatayong secretary ng Bohol Party Committee-Defunct (BPC-D), ay may patong na P2.6 million sa ikadarakip nito, patay man o buhay.

Nagsimula ang engkwentro bandang alas-6:52 kahapon ng umaga, ilang oras bago nagpasyang tumakas ang natitirang mga NPA matapos na mapatay ang limang communist terrorist habang nakumpiska ang anim na mataas na kalibre ng baril na kinabibilangan ng isang (1) M653 assault rifle; isang (1) R4 assault rifle; isang (1) M16 rifle; at tatlong (3) Cal. .45 pistols.

Natunton ng pinagsanib na pwersa ng PNP Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) at Philippine Army 47th Infantry Battalion sa kanilang inilunsad na Joint Enhanced Military Police Operation (JEMPO) ang grupo ni Domingo Compoc na wanted sa mga kasong multiple murder, frustrated murder, bukod pa sa kasong rebellion, homicide, attempted homicide, at robbery.

Habang isinusulat ang balita, kinukumpirma pa ang ulat hinggil sa isang pulis na umano’y napatay at isang pulis na ‘wounded in action’, habang wala umanong nalagas sa hanay ng mga sundalo.

“This latest debacle of the CPP-NPA is a clear manifestation of our steadfast commitment on ending the local communist armed conflict in the Visayas region. May this send a message to the few remaining members of the CPP-NPA still hiding in the outskirt communities in the region. We will never stop, and we will continue to hunt you down until justice is served for all the atrocities you have committed to our country and people,” ani Lieutenant General Benedict M. Arevalo PA, Commander ng Visayas Command.

Kaugnay nito, pinasasalamatan ni Arevalo ang mamamayan sa suportang ipinakita nila at ng iba pang government agencies para tuluyan nang mawakasan ang suliranin sa insurgency.

“This recent success in our campaign was made possible by the active support of our people, who have been providing us with credible information leading to the demise of the CPP-NPA. Likewise, our ironclad partnership with the different government agencies, especially the PNP who have been our strong partner in ensuring the safety and security of our people in the entire Visayas region.”

Kasabay nito, muling nanawagan si Lt. Gen. Arevalo sa nalalabing buhay pang mga kasapi ng CPP-NPA sa Visayas region na samantalahin na ang alok na kapayapaan ng gobyerno at yakapin ang pagkakataon na makapagbagong-buhay.

“We will never hesitate, and we will never back down. Heed the call of our government, lay down your arms now, and return to the folds of the law while you still can. Learn from the mistakes of your fallen comrades.”

(JESSE KABEL RUIZ)