Toboso: The elusive New People's Army (NPA) hitman Roger Fabillar was among the 19 fatalities in a series of encounters between rebel remnants and government troops in the hinterlands of Toboso, Negros Occidental on Sunday, the Philippine Army here confirmed Monday. Fabillar's death ends a four-year manhunt by authorities for him, who is tasked with carrying out special operations for the dismantled NPA Northern Negros Front.
According to Philippines News Agency, going by the aliases Arnel Tapang, Jhong, and Nono, Fabillar was facing a string of murder cases in northern Negros, with the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) offering a PHP1-million cash reward for his arrest. Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, confirmed Fabillar's death in a telephone interview. A series of eight clashes took place in Sitio Plaringding, Barangay Salamanca, from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. All the fatalities' bodies, 18 of whom have yet to be identified, have been brought to Shekainah Funeral Services in Escalante City.
In an interview with reporters in Toboso, Dumosmog said they turned over the task of determining the identities of the 18 other fatalities to the police's Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) team. He confirmed the encounter and the fatalities, stating that further identification would be handled by SOCO.
In a statement, Philippine Army commanding general, Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, commended the operating troops of 79IB for their commitment and dedication. He expressed condolences to the families of the NPA remnants who died, noting they were victims of lies and deception. Nafarrete urged remaining communist-terrorist group members to lay down their arms and choose peace.
Meanwhile, Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco expressed hope that residents who evacuated during the encounter could return home on Tuesday. Approximately 167 families or 653 individuals from the adjacent villages of Salamanca and San Jose sought shelter in two schools.
In his statement, Lt. Gen. Nafarrete also emphasized the army's adherence to International Humanitarian Law and respect for human rights, highlighting the professionalism and honor of PA soldiers. He reiterated the commitment to ending the decades-long insurgency.
