NEXT OF KIN. The family of a New People's Army rebel, who was killed in an encounter in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, claims his remains on Friday (Jan. 19, 2024). Two other rebels killed in a separate encounter this week were handed over to their families in Guihulngan City. (Photo courtesy of 11th IB, Philippine Army)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) killed in separate encounters with government troops this week have been claimed by their families, Army officials said Friday.
The slain NPA rebels were identified as Dionisio Baloy, 67, of Barangay Linantuyan; and Bernard Torres Sr., 56, a resident of Barangay Buenavista, both in Guihulngan City; and Edmar Pat Solano, of legal age and a resident of Sitio Omol, Barangay Talalak in Sta. Catalina town, all in Negros Oriental.
The family of Solano claimed his remains on Friday, a day after he was killed in an encounter with troops of the Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Sug-ong, Barangay Milagrosa in Sta. Catalina, Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, battalion commanding officer, said in an interview.
Solano (alias Meme/Maymay/Jane) was a member of Squad 1 of the dismantled South East Front.
Meanwhile, the remains of Baloy and Torres were turned over to their families on Thursday after they were killed in an encounter with 62nd Infantry Battalion troops in Barangay Sag-ang, La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
Both belonged to remnants of the NPA’s Central Negros 1 guerilla front, the same armed group that figured in previous encounters in Guihulngan City and Moises Padilla, Negros Oriental. (PNA)
