One more top ranking NPA leader in Leyte falls

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
April 15, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  One more top ranking NPA leader in Leyte fell while one military trooper was wounded, after a five minute firefight in a military troops and communist terrorists encounter at the vicinity of Baragay Sta. Cruz, Villaba, Leyte.

Killed during the firefight was Policarpio Opo alias Memong, secretary of the White Area Committee, North Leyte Force, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, CPP-NPA, 1Lt. Dennis Almorato, Public Information Officer of the Philippine Army informed.

Wounded was PFC Benvienido Ortizaone while recovered from the scene of incident were one (1) M16 rifle with magazine, subversive documents, and personal belongings.

It was reported that at about 2:50 in the afternoon of April 12, 2007, two platoons of Commando troopers led by 2Lt. Marvin P. Castillo and 2Lt. Alberto Dabajo while about to serve the warrant of arrest to Policarpio Opo alias Memong, they encountered more or less five communist terrorists led by Opo.

The neutralization of Opo is the latest among the ranking North Leyte Force (NLF) committee members that fell under the hands of the Commando Trooper as the deadline to dismantle the NLF is nearing towards the end of 2nd quarter this year.

Policarpio Opo is the third ranking NLF committee member neutralized this year preceded by Antonio Ramos alias Pingkoy/Mando, former Secretary of NLF last February 25, 2007 and Paterno Opo alias Noble/Loloy/Rex (his younger brother), Commanding Officer, FOC codenamed Mount Amendawin  Command, NLF, EVRPC.

Buoyed by the recent arrest of Paterno Opo last April 6, 2007 in Brgy Nulatula, Tacloban City by the 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion, this development is an addition to its strings of victories against the CPP/NPA/NDF in Leyte.