Manila: The three rebels killed in a recent clash with government troops in Jaro, Leyte, have been linked to the murder of a soldier in 2023, the Philippine Army’s (PA) 8th Infantry Division (8ID) reported on Thursday. The identification of the rebels and the retrieval of a firearm connecting them to the earlier crime mark a significant development in the ongoing conflict.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PA confirmed that one of the firearms seized after the clash belonged to Pvt. First Class Aries Ampoan, a 21-year-old member of the 14th Infantry Battalion. Ampoan was tortured and murdered by the New People’s Army (NPA) on April 2, 2023, in the mountains of Abuyog, Leyte. The recovery of his weapon provides crucial evidence linking the neutralized NPAs to past attacks on government forces.
Ampoan’s body was discovered by coconut farmers in Balocawehay village, Abuyog town, on April 9, 2023, a week after he participated in an operation against NPA members in the area. Soldiers located Ampoan’s firearm after searching the clash site in the upland Pange village, Jaro town, on November 17, 2025.
The fatalities in the recent firefight included squad leader Fidel Lagado, alias Rod/Jason; medical officer Maricel Anora, alias Yenyen/Gani; and political guide Jun Berino, alias Sonny/Danny. In adherence to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the 8ID facilitated the handover of the rebels’ remains to their families and coordinated their burial with the local government unit of Jaro town.
Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8ID, emphasized their dedication to upholding IHL and seeking justice for fallen soldiers. He stated, “Our commitment goes beyond securing communities; it extends to upholding IHL and pursuing justice for our fallen soldiers. This encounter brings undeniable clarity to the heinous nature of the enemy we face and provides crucial accountability for their crimes.”
The deaths of the squad leader and two other NPA members during the recent clash represent a significant setback for the insurgent group’s operations on Leyte Island, as noted by the PA.
