NEUTRALIZED. The body of CPP-NPA squad leader Celso Tribunalo (left) with the firearms and ammunition recovered by troops of 15th Infantry Battalion after a clash in Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Tuesday (April 19, 2022). Tribunalo, 62, was among the NPA squad and platoon leaders neutralized during a series of encounters in Negros Island since last month.(Photo courtesy of 15th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army) BACOLOD CITY - The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) has lost yet another squad leader in Negros Island after a clash with soldiers of the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) in Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Tuesday morning. In a report on Wednesday, the 15IB identified the fatality as Celso Tribunalo, 62, a resident of Sitio Ulomhon in Barangay Yao-Yao of the same town in southern Negros. Also known as "Larry," "Jimlo" and "Greg", he was the leader of Squad 2, Platoon 2, Sentro de Grabidad (SDG), and a member of Plato
CANINE HERO. Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, on Tuesday (April 19, 2022) confers the Military Merit Medal (plain) to Ella, a Belgian Malinois, and the dog's handler, who helped locate the body of a slain NPA following an encounter in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. One officer and nine enlisted personnel of the 11th Infantry Battalion were also given the Military Merit Medals with Bronze Spearhead Device. (Photo by Judy Flores Partlow) DUMAGUETE CITY - The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) capability in Negros Island has diminished over the years compared to the previous elections, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, Army commander for Western and Central Visayas, said on Tuesday. Arevalo, who heads the 3rd Infantry Division based in Panay, said in an interview, that it is "very, very much better compared to the last elections because I was (assigned) here in 2019 and that was also election time"
Relentless military operations against New People’s Army rebels on Negros Island and in Cagayan on Thursday led to encounters that left five ranking members of the communist movement dead.