(Eagle News) — Seven alleged members of the terrorist group New People’s Army were killed in a clash encounter with policemen in Antique.
According to San Jose Municipal Police Station, the encounter happened Wednesday dawn, August 15, in Purok 7, Barangay Atabay, San Jose, Antique province.
Authorities said they were about to serve a warrant arrest against two persons, Jason Talibo and Joven Ceralvo, who were facing murder charges when a group of eight people fired shots and threw a grenade at them.
The firefight lasted for almost an hour.
Because of this, the police engaged in a firefight with the suspects killing the seven members of the group; one, however, was able to escape.
Six of the seven fatalities were identified as:
1. Jason Talibo alias “Bebe” (subject of the arrest warrant)
2. Karen Ceralvo
3. Felix Salditos
4. Jason Sanchez
5. Rene Yap
6. Liezel Bandiola alias “Mayang”
The seventh fatality could not yet be identified.
One of the target persons who escaped was Joven Ceralvo, alias “Ka Lex.”
Different types of firearms, grenades, ammunition, ATM cards, bank books and Php 34,000 cash, among other items, were recovered from the suspects.
Several extortion letter from the Napoleon Tumagtang Command of Southern Front, and a number of mobile phones, laptops, and other documents were also recovered from the suspects.
Police said there was no civilian hurt during the encounter. (Mar Gabriel)