THE son of New People’s Army leader, Domingo Compoc, whose nom de guerre Kumander Cobra, was one of the six slain rebels in a series of bloody encounters in Sitio Ilaya, Campagao, Bilar town in early morning of September 7, 2023.
The son is identified as Jiggler Villamor Compoc, 29, alias “Keth” by his grandmother Rosita Villamor, a resident of Poblacion Sur, Batuan, Bohol, as confirmed by Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) in its press statement.
But the report did not mention the whereabouts of Kumander Domingo Compoc.
Others who were killed were Ruben Nabas Samorano, 40, alias “Bogs” single and resident of barangay Rizal, Batuan, Bohol. He was identified by Rolando Pataca, Barangay Captain of said barangay.
Felisisimo Arcales Estañola, 67, alias “Emoy” a resident and married of Purok 7, Barangay Maitom, Catigbian, Bohol. He was recognized by his brother, Nestor Estañola, a resident barangay Ubujan, Sagbayan, Bohol and his niece, Patricia Estañola, a resident of same barangay.
Nelson Lumantas, 50, alias “Brando” married and a resident of barangay Bayawahan, Sevilla, Bohol was recognized by his wife, Esperanza Lumantas, a resident of said village.
Also slain were Rogelio Jorillo alias “Tacoy,” said to be from Minglanilla, Cebu; and one known only of his alias “Okloy,” according to report of the Philippine News Agency.
The troops, with the help of barangay residents and barangay captain Dennis Remedio took hours to recover the lifeless bodies of the six NPA members and seven high-powered firearms which included, five (5) 5.56mm AR15 Rifles and two (2) AK47 Assault Rifles, according to 47 infantry Battalion.
Military statement said that 47IB and the 21st Special Forces company (Riverine) of the 302nd IB encountered the rebels in the forested area of the said place and firefight ensued that resulted to the six encounters that started past seven in the morning.
This writer visited the sitio after the firefight cadavers of the rebels were retrieved and brought to the covered court of the village, about two kms. from the encounter and where the 20 families evacuated.
In an interview, barangay councilor Antonio Arig, 59, who was about to take his breakfast when he heard firefight, said that the exchange of fire lasted for eight minutes, the longest, while the succeeding volleys of fire appeared to be sporadically.
He said he immediately left his house and headed to the covered court along the national highway and took the blood pressure since he has an ailment which he did not disclose.
In separate Jane Tejada, 35, a resident here told this writer they, with her grandma, Conchita, 73, and her daughter, Maria Gwendolyn, 4, were taking breakfast when they head volleys of gunfire. They immediately headed to the safer place at the covered court, she added.
The family was among the 20 families that took shelter at the covered court beside the elementary school along the national highway.
Bilar town Mayor Norman D. Palacio, who personally monitored the situation all day long, said in interview that some 20 families of the 42 households in said sitio were immediately evacuated to the covered court. He then ordered the Rural Health Unit to attend to the health needs of the evacuated residents, including senior citizens, who were being checked.
He said that he also directed the municipal social welfare office to prepare packed lunch and food stuff and distributed to the evacuees who might spend the night at the covered court.
It will be recalled that an encounter between the rebels and the government forces took place here on May 15, 2018, feast day of the Bilar town.
The Armed Forces still considered Bohol as “insurgency-free” province despite the past encounters. (rvo)
