SAN JOSE, Nueva Ecija -- A former activist from Pampanga was one of the wounded New People's Army (NPA) rebels during an encounter with government troops in Barangay Estrella, Rizal, Nueva Ecija on Thursday.
The military identified rebel as Redsa Balatan, 33, alias Lea/Sinin/Julia who is the political instructor of Kilusang Larangang Guerilla Sierra Madre operating in Northern Nueva Ecija and parts of Aurora.
Balatan is the wife of Gerald “Geary” Salonga who was killed in an encounter on Sept. 2, 2018 in Brgy. Villa, Maria, Aurora Province. The two were students at the University of the Philippines-Extension Program in Pampanga (UPDEPP).
Prior to his death, Salonga was first arrested in August 2014 with another NPA rebel, Guiller Cadano. At that time, they claimed that they were activists from Kabataan Party-list and AnakBayan. Cadano was also killed in an encounter in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija on Sept. 20, 2017.
The latest clash between government troops and NPA rebels was brought about by a report of a concerned civilian on extortion and recruitment activities in Barangay Estrella. A 15-minute encounter ensued when responding soldiers went to the area.
The encounter also resulted in the death of two other NPA rebels, the wounding of three, including Balatan, and capture of one.
Government troops recovered two M-16 rifles, three cal .45 pistols, and other war materiel.
“This is solid evidence of the connection between legal fronts and the NPA,” said Lt. Col. Honorato Pascual Jr., commander of 84th Infantry Battalion, which has operational jurisdiction of northern Nueva Ecija.
“They organize from the schools through groups like Kabataan, Anakbayan, LFS [League of Filipino Students] and the others in order to facilitate recruitment to the NPA,” he said.
The bodies of the slain NPA rebels are now waiting to be claimed by their relatives while the wounded were brought to Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center.
The Communist Party of the Philippines, together with its armed with NPA, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PR)