NEUTRALIZED.聽Photos of Hans 鈥淛ojo鈥� Ponteras, acting regional front secretary and finance officer of the Regional Taxation Implementing Group of the New People鈥檚 Army Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, and Marissa Pobresa, primary staff of Ponteras and the unit鈥檚 regional communication officer, released by the Philippine Army鈥檚 79th Infantry Battalion on Sunday (March 9, 2025). The two communist leaders were killed in a clash with government troops in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental the day before.聽(Photo courtesy of 79IB, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY聽鈥� Two regional leaders of the New People鈥檚 Army (NPA) were killed in a clash with troops of the Philippine Army鈥檚 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) in the hinterlands of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on Saturday.
In a report Sunday afternoon, the 79IB identified the fatalities as Hans 鈥淛ojo鈥� Ponteras, in his 40s, acting regional front secretary and finance officer of the Regional Taxation Implementing Group of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor; and Marissa Pobresa, 23, a former squad member who later became Ponteras鈥� primary staff and the unit鈥檚 regional communications officer.
In a press statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, commander of the 79IB, described their deaths as a major setback for the communist group in Negros and the entire Visayas region.
鈥淭he neutralization of their sitting regional front secretary, at the same time regional finance officer, and their communications officer signals their near decimation,鈥� he added.
The clash, which took place in Hacienda Paraiso, Barangay Caduha-an at around 1:50 a.m., involved about seven NPA rebels.
Their comrades abandoned the bodies of Ponteras and Pobresa.
Troops recovered firearms, grenades, and antigovernment documents, including extortion letters allegedly signed by Ponteras under the alias 鈥淎rmando Magbanua.鈥�
The military reported no casualties on their side.
搁贰础顿:听Cop killed, 3 others wounded in Negros clash