AIRDROP OPERATION. Troops of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion airdrop “wanted” leaflets containing information about New People’s Army hitman Roger Fabillar in the remote villages of Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Saturday (Sept. 10, 2022). A reward of PHP300,000 is being offered for the arrest of Fabillar, who is facing three murder charges. (Photo courtesy of 79th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) announced on Sunday an additional cash reward for the capture of New People’s Army (NPA) hitman Roger Fabillar, whose group is believed to be behind the recent killings in northern Negros Occidental.
The bounty was initially set at PHP100,000, but as government troops continue to pursue the 31-year-old Fabillar, also known as “Arnel Tapang” and “Jhong”, PHP200,000 more has been added.
“Any information that will lead to the arrest of alias Jhong will get the reward money being offered by the local government unit amounting to PHP300,000,” Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, commanding officer of 79IB, said in a statement.
Javines had earlier said Fabillar carries out special operations for the remnants of the dismantled NPA Northern Negros Front.
On Saturday, troops of 79IB airdropped “wanted” leaflets containing information about Fabillar in the remote villages of Calatrava town to seek the community’s help for his immediate arrest.
“I encourage everyone to continuously support our campaign against the terrorist group. Your information and cooperation are vital to us,” Javines said.
Last month alone, Fabillar’s group was alleged to have killed three locals, among them village chief Benjamin Javoc of Barangay Lalong, who was gunned down outside his residence early morning of Aug. 26.
Several days after, the Calatrava Municipal Police Station filed murder charges against seven members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for the fatal shooting of Javoc.
The Communist Party of the Philippines - NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Philippines.
The National Democratic Front has also been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
