17 December 2007

Body of NPA Leader Killed in Mabbayad, Echague Encounter Recovered

      Camp Melchor dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela - Troops from the 45th Infantry Battalion under its Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Clifford Cyril Y. Riveral, together with elements of the PNP SOCO Team exhumed and recovered yesterday afternoon, December 16, the body of an NPA leader identified as Roberto Benedicto in Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela.

      Roberto Benedicto, a.k.a. Commander Rey, is the 2nd Platoon Leader of Section Committee-1, Southern Front of the CPP-NPA and resides in Barangay San Carlos in Echague. Intensive intelligence collection efforts led to discover that said NPA leader was fatally wounded during their encounter with the troops of the 45IB in Barangay Mabbayad of the same town last November 20. He expired the following day and was buried by his comrades along their route of withdrawal in Barangay San Miguel.

      Yesterday morning, the troops from the 45IB together with the PNP SOCO Team and the media moved towards the burial site. Heavy mud and narrow trail prohibited vehicles from passing towards the vicinity, causing the group the group to hike long distance. At about 4:00PM, after they reached the site, the troops under the supervision of the PNP SOCO Team, exhumed the cadaver of Benedicto. The body of the NPA leader had gun shot wounds on his thigh and on the lower part of his stomach.

      The Commander of the 5th Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Melchor J. Dilodilo commended the troops for a job well done. He said, "This series of successful internal security operations practically renders the NPA group in that part of Isabela as dismantled." The successful combat operation conducted by the troops last November 20 in Barangay Mabbayad, that resulted to the neutralization of a total of five (5) NPA members and the recovery of their nine (9) high-powered firearms, took place after receiving tip from the residents in the area.