In a significant operation in Barangay Bandila, Toboso, Negros Occidental, the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) successfully raided a hideout and apprehended a prominent figure from the dismantled New People’s Army-North Negros Front (NPA-NNF). The operation, which took place over the weekend, led to the arrest of a woman known as alias ‘Pinky,’ who is closely associated with Roger Fabillar, also known as ‘Arnel Tapang,’ a notorious NPA hitman with a PHP1-million bounty on his head for multiple murder charges in the region.
Alias ‘Pinky,’ aged 58, was captured during a follow-up operation after an initial clash and is currently detained at the Toboso Municipal Police Station. She faces charges of attempted murder, with a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 59 in San Carlos City on January 27, 2021, that does not allow for bail.
The 79IB troops engaged the NPA remnants in a brief 12-minute firefight on Friday afternoon in Sitio Tauma, following tips from local residents. The encounter resulted in no casualties on the government side, but bloodstains were found leading away from the site, suggesting injuries among the rebels. The military recovered a variety of weapons from the scene, including a 5.56mm assault rifle, a .38 caliber revolver, an AK47 short magazine, two .45 caliber handgun magazines, and various live rounds.
Further investigation at the hideout revealed two backpacks, medical supplies, food, personal items, and subversive documents left behind by the NPA group. Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, the commander of 79IB, praised the operation as a demonstration of the soldiers’ and community’s unity, bravery, and dedication. He emphasized the ongoing efforts of the ‘Masaligan’ troopers to pursue all members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army and to seek justice for the victims of their violent acts.