CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – An alleged high-ranking official of the New People’s Army (NPA) with six standing warrants of arrest was killed during a gunfight with government forces in San Luis, Agusan del Sur, police reported Monday
During the five-minute clash, police and the Army’s 26thInfantryBattalion (26th IB) also rescued a wounded child.
Caraga Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr. said Monday that the gunfight happened at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Joint operatives of San Luis Municipal Police Station (MPS) of Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office (PPO) and 26th IB went to Barangay Don Alejandro in San Luis town and served the arrest warrants to Ronnie Rocero, alias “Opaw”, alleged vice commanding officer of the NPA’s Militia ng Bayan in the area.
Brig. Gen. Esquivel said the suspect was facing six arrest orders ranging from multiple attempted murder, frustrated murder and murder issued by various courts in Agusan de Sur.
Upon arrival in Barangay Don Ale jandro, the government forces were fired upon by undetermined number of rebels, prompting the lawmen to retaliate, Esquivel said.
Rocero died during the encounter while 14-year old boy was wounded and brought to nearest hospital.
Esquivel said that the rescued boy, who was exploited by the communist rebels, is now properly being taken cared of and will be turned over to the Local Social Welfare and Development (LSWD) for proper intervention.
The troops recovered in the encounter site one KG9 with magazine loaded with 15 live ammunition, one .45-caliber pistol with two magazines, and two hand grenades.
Esquivel said the PNP Caraga is preparing charges against the leaders of CPP-NPA-NDF (CNN) for violations of Republic At 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act), R.A. 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012), and R.A. 9851 (Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity). (Mike Crismundo)
