Panay CPP-NPA top leader, aide die in Iloilo
By Jemin B. Guillermo / Philippine Information Agency
ILOILO CITY – The death of a top Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) leader is a giant leap in the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.
Major General Eric C. Vinoya, the Commander of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, said the death of Reynaldo Bocala alias “Bading,” who heads the Regional Finance Bureau, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P), will further crack the CPP NPA in Panay after the continuous dwindling of leaders.
Vinoya said “Bocala’s death only manifested that the long arms of the law will always prevail in bringing to justice those that have violated it.”
Bocala is the husband of Maria Concepcion "Concha" Araneta, who is the Deputy Secretary of CPP NPA's KR-P.
"Bocala is a notorious terrorist, thus, his death is a victory not only for the government's law enforcement operation but also for the people of Panay who suffered much from the cruelty of the communist terrorists,” Vinoya said, in a press release from the 3ID’s Public Affairs Office.
He added “This is also justice for all the victims of their atrocities and criminal activities."
"Together with our counterparts from the PNP, your Army will fight against the insurgents more aggressively until the last terrorist is brought to justice,” he stressed.
Vinoya noted that the Panayanons deserve to live peacefully, away from the extortion, intimidation, and the terroristic activities of the CPP NPAs.
On May 28, Bocala, a regional leader of the Communist Terrorist Group operating in Panay island, together with his comrade Welly Epago Arguelles, died in a gun fight with AFP-PNP elements at Providence Subdivision, Brgy. Balabag, Pavia, Iloilo.
Bocala and his aide were killed while rebelliously fighting back with the authorities serving four warrants of arrest against him (Bocala).
Recovered from the said area were two Cal.45 Pistols, subversive documents and assorted cellular phones.
Bocala was accused of Robbery in Band with Frustrated Homicide and Damage to Property using motor vehicle and unlicensed firearms issued by Judge Susan Medina-Alcantara of 15th Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) in Guimbal, Iloilo on July 12, 2004, with bail bond fixed at P200,000.00.
He was also the subject of an arrest warrant for Robbery with Serious Physical Injuries issued by Judge Teodulo A. Colada of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 67, Guimbal, Iloilo on February 4, 2005, with bail bond fixed at P180,000.00.
Bocala was also accused of violating PD 1744 (Destructive Arson) as amended by RA 7659 issued by Hon. Teodulo A. Colada, of RTC Br 67, Guimbal, Iloilo on February 21, 2005, with no bail recommended.
He was also indicted of murder issued by Judge Ma. Monina Misajon of MCTC Judge, Province of Antique, dated April 16, 1990, with no bail recommended.
Some positions held by Bocala in CPP-NPA were the former Finance Officer of Kilusang Rehiyon Panay; Former Deputy Secretary of the Southern Front Committee (SFC), Panay Regional Party Committee (PRPC); Former Secretary, SFC, PRPC; Former Head, Regional Operational Department, PRPC, and Former Secretary of PRPC in 2001. (PIA6/Story from DPAO-3ID/Philippine Army)