‘Kumander Cobra’, 4 others killed in Bilar encounter

By Marisol Bo-oc, Helen Castaño | 06:57 PM February 23, 2024

A high ranking official of the New People’s Army (NPA) and female lawyer were among the five rebels killed during an encounter in Barangay Campagao in Bilar town, Bohol province, on Friday morning, February 23, 2024.

The armed encounter began at around 6:25 a.m. in Purok 2 in Sito Matinan-ao Dos, Barangay Campagao,

An armed encounter between the joint elements government troops and remnants of Bohol Party Committee (BPC) of the CPP-NPA has transpired at around 6:50 in the morning of February 23, 2024 at Purok 2 (Matin-ao) Barangay Campagao, Bilar, Bohol.

Lieutenant Colonel Norman Nuez, spokesperson of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), said that military and police personnel were reportedly in the area to serve a warrant of arrest.

The warrant of arrest was issued against Compoc and his cohorts. However, when they arrived in the area armed men fired against the law enforcers and the government soldiers.

Killed were Domingo Jaspe Compoc, alias Kumander Compoc/Silong, a squad leader of remnants of Bohol Party Committee (BPC) and former commanding officer of Sandatahang Yunit Pangpropaganda (SYP) Platoon of BPC,(KIA); Parlito Segovia, alias Aldrin, an assistant squad leader and political guide; Marlon Omosura, alias Darwin, a member; Hannah Jay Cesista, alias Maya/Lean, and a certain Juaning, a squad member.

Compoc had a P 2.6-million (about $47,000) bounty on his head on charges of rebellion and multiple murders, among others.

Cesista, a lawyer, passed the Bar examinations in 2022.

Police Corporal Gilbert Amper assigned at provincial intelligence unit (PIU) at BPPO was pronounced dead on arrival at Congressman Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital.

Police Corporal Gerard Rollon assigned at PIU was injured. He was brought to Congressman Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital and later transfered to Gov. Celestino Gallares Hospital in Tagbilaran City.

Recovered evidences from the NPA were one unit M16 Baby Armalite;. 1 unit R4 M16; 1 unit M16; and 3 units of caliber .45 pistol.

Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) team from Philippine National Police Forensic Science Unit – Bohol were deployed at the area and currently conducting crime scene investigation.

The firefight lasted for two hours and 45 minutes which ended at 9:35 a. m.

At least 250 families or 774 individuals were evacuated to Campagao Covered Court by PNP personnel.

Col. Lorenzo Batuan, BPPO provincial director, was in Bilar to supervise the troops.

The immediate family of Amper was already informed.

Gov. Aris Aumentado, Vice Gov. Victor Balite, board members Lucille Kaguhay, Nathaniel Binlod and Greg Jala also visited the area.

Aumentado assured full support to the government troops and encourage the remaining members of the CPP-NPA in Bohol to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law.