It’s now P1-M reward vs. NPA hitman

The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) announced today that it is giving a P1 million cash reward to anyone who could provide information that would result in the arrest of New People’s Army (NPA) hitman Roger Fabillar, who is facing a string of murder cases in northern Negros.

The bounty was increased twice this month, from P900,000 set on April 7.

The cash reward was first offered at P100,000, then P300,000 in August last year, and P500,000 in September. The bounty was raised by concerned stakeholders and private individuals who wanted to hasten the manhunt against Fabillar and his group.

“The amount of P1 million shall be given to anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest and/or neutralization of Fabillar,” the 79IB led by commanding officer, Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, said in a notice.

Fabillar, who goes by the aliases “Arnel Tapang,” “Jhong,” and “Nono,” is about 31 years old.

He was reportedly behind the series of killings in Calatrava town in August last year, which claimed the lives of village chief Benjamin Javoc of Barangay Lalong, and Renato Estrebillo and Rodel Nobleza of Barangay Marcelo.

In February, Fabillar was also linked to the death of councilman Benito Hubahib of Barangay Cambayobo.

The Army raised the bounty earlier this month after an encounter between troops of the 79IB and communist rebels in Sitio Siraje, Barangay San Isidro in the adjacent Toboso town on April 7.

On April 20, another clash took place in the hinterlands of Barangay Binaguiohan, Escalante City, which led to the death of an NPA fighter.

Fabillar was reportedly deployed to carry out special operations for the remnants of the dismantled NPA Northern Negros Front.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Fabillar may contact the 79IB through hotline numbers (0963) 873-9989 (Smart) and (0927) 339-2481 (Globe).* (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)