In a swift response following a deadly encounter, the family of a suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel retrieved and buried his remains in the mountainous regions of Negros Oriental. The incident occurred in Barangay Tala-on, La Libertad, where the clash with government forces took place on February 11, 2025. The body of the alleged rebel, identified as Rolito Apatan Tanillon, was claimed by his relatives and the local village chief shortly after an autopsy was conducted in the town center. The burial took place around midnight in the mountains, as confirmed by Lt. Stephen Polinar of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office. Tanillon was reportedly part of the now-defunct Central Negros 1 Front and was involved in a firefight with the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. Authorities suspect his group was responsible for recent arson attacks on heavy equipment in nearby Barangay Aya. The local government of La Libertad assisted in the burial arrangements.
