ISANG top-ranking communist terrorist leader at dalawang tauhan nito ang napaslang nang makasagupa ang tropa ng 93rd Infantry “Bantay Kapayapaan” Battalion ng Philippine Army nitong Miyerkoles ng umaga sa liblib na bahagi ng Barangay Cogon, Carigara, Leyte.

Ayon kay Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, commander ng Army 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, habang nagsasagawa ng tactical patrol operation ang kanilang mga tauhan ay nasabat nila ang grupo ng mga teroristang NPA sa ilalim ng Squad 2, Island Committee (IC) LEVOX ng Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

Isa sa mga napatay ay kinilalang si Juanito P. Sellesa Jr., alias “Tibor”, executive member ng Island Committee (IC) LEVOX; habang ang dalawa pang tauhan nito ay kinilalang sina Eugene Paclita, alias “Dimple”, Squad Leader Squad 2, at Lito L. Delante, alias “Dodong”, kasapi ng nasabing NPA unit.

Isang M16 rifle na may dalawang long magazines, isang caliber .45 pistol at dalawang magazines, isang hand grenade, personal belongings, at subversive documents ang nasamsam mula sa napaslang na CTG combatants.

Si alias “Tibor” at grupo nito ay pinaghahanap ng military dahil sila ang itinuturong responsable sa pagpatay kay Jesus Sarcilla alias “Sosing”, sa Barangay Binibihan, Carigara, Leyte noong Disyembre 7, 2021.

Si Sarcilla ay pinatay ng mga NPA sa harap mismo ng anak nitong si Zosima Sarcilla matapos sila bigyan ng pagkain at matutuluyan.

“Ang pagkaka-neutralize sa tatlong ito, lalong-lalo na kay alias Tibor ay nagsisilbing hustisya para sa pamilya ni Jesus Sarcilla na walang awang pinatay sa harap ng kanyang anak. Hindi man niya hinarap ang batas sa kanyang krimen, hinarap naman niya ang bangis ng mga sundalo na naghatid sa kanya sa kanyang huling hantungan,” ani Brig Gen. Vestuir.

Pahayag naman ni Major General Adonis Ariel G Orio, Commander, 8th Infantry Division, “Even up to this day, the Communist Terrorist Group is still pursuing recruitment activities to corrupt the youth, farmers, and the common people. What they are doing is an outright violation of humanity and justice as they prey on the vulnerable, manipulate the people, and compromise the government’s effort in bringing peace and development in the region.”

“There is nothing revolutionary in turning your future into tools of violence. To the insurgents, there is no honor in deceiving the people with your false ideals and promises while you selfishly use them as pawns in your senseless armed struggle. As the Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, I strongly condemn these atrocities, and I will not allow these insurgents to steal the opportunity of building a progressive Eastern Visayas,” dagdag pa ni Maj. Gen. Orio.

“I assure you that there is no haven for terrorism in 8ID’s areas of operations. To those still in the ranks of CTG, let there be no more lives wasted in armed struggle. Surrender now, return to your families, and choose the path of peace while there is still time,” pahayag pa ni Maj. Gen. Orio.

(JESSE KABEL RUIZ)