NPA Negros issues statement expressing ‘highest tribute to Ilog martyrs’

The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command of the New People’s Army – Negros Island (AGC-NPA) issued a statement expressing its highest tribute to four of their comrades “martyred” during an encounter between Red fighters under the Armando Sumayang, Jr. Command – Southwest Negros Front and troops of the 6th Special Action Force Battalion (6SAB) and 2nd Negros Occidental Mobile Force Company (2nd NOMFC) at Sitio Balik-Balik, Barangay Tabu, Ilog, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.

Ka Juanito Magbanua, AGC-NPA spokesperson, identified the four as Cheene “Ka Nikki” Dacalos, 30, Jeren “Ka Alvin” Vargas, 24, Jonard “Ka George” Alvior and Ka Bobong.

“They gave their best to advance the revolutionary aspirations of the people to achieve national liberation and democracy,” Magbanua said.

According to him, Ka Alvin and Ka Nikki were fatally wounded while withdrawing from the gun battle and eventually commanded their comrades to leave them behind for quick maneuver.

‘The best sons and daughters’

The AGC-NPA statement added that, Ka Alvin from Barangay Canlusong, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, was a platoon leader of the NPA’s Armando Sumayang, Jr. Command who was described as “a good commander always there for his comrades even during difficult situations.”

“In his young age, he showed a capacity to lead politically and militarily and a determination to further raise the level of the people’s war in the southern part of Negros Occidental,” it stated.

The AGC-NPA statement also said Ka Nikki, 30, was a political instructor of the platoon, from Minglanilla, Cebu. She was “an epitome of the best daughter of the people who chose the path of revolution to serve the oppressed and exploited people.”

“As an intellectual born in the cities, she courageously faced the sacrifices and hardships in joining the revolution and consistently saw the positive side of things while resolutely overcoming shortcomings,” it stated further.

Both NPA martyrs Ka Bobong and Ka George were from southern Negros, Magbanua said.

‘True people’s army’

Magbanua also said that the four “are praised and saluted because they showed devotion to their pledge to serve the people who in return remembers and cherishes them as their true fighters.”

According to him, the death of their comrades brings grief to the entire revolutionary forces in Negros, nonetheless, grief will turn into far more daringness and inspiration to decisively continue the unfinished mission of liberating the people long oppressed and exploited. He also called to the best of the youth to live the revolutionary spirit and good work of the recent martyrs for the oppressed masses, join the armed revolution and contribute to carrying forward the people’s war from the strategic defensive to strategic stalemate up to victory.*