Maj. Nathaniel Villasor, 303rd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations officer, yesterday said that the rebel killed in a recent encounter with troopers of the 3rd Scout Ranger Company in Brgy.Menchaca, Calatrava, is a leader of the New People's Army.

Villasor identified the slain rebel as Leopoldo Ilustrisimo Sr., alias Ka Akoy/Dikyam, secretary of the Organizing Committee of the New People's Army Larangan Gerilya 3.

Ilustrisimo was initially identified by the military as Leo Sisbreno, project coordinator of the Negros Rural Assistance Program Corporation, because of the identification card recovered from him .

However, the real identity of Ilustrisimo was discovered only yesterday after his family, accompanied by Karapatan-Negros members, claimed his cadaver from a funeral parlor in Calatrava, Villasor said. Three other persons identified as Jony Rosaot, 45; Jesus Begonia, 25; and Herman Ogdamen, 22, who were discovered at the encounter site, were turned over by the Scout Rangers for safekeeping to the Calatrava police on Thursday night after being investigated by the Philippine Army, Inspector Danilo Zuniega said.

However, Zuniega said he is expected to release them before noon today if no charges are filed against them. Initial military investigations show that in 2004, the son of slain rebel leader, Leopoldo Ilustrisimo Jr., then 17 years old, and two other rebels were captured during an encounter with members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade in Brgy. Celestino Villacin, Cadiz City.

Ilustrisimo Jr. and two others were freed from jail after posting bail of P80,000 each. They have rejoined their colleagues in the rebel movement, Villasor said.

Military records show the younger Ilustrisimo commands 14 to 16 rebels in the same unit where his father is one of the political cadres.

Ilustrisimo and his son are residents of Hacienda Pula, Brgy. Guimbalaon, Silay City, Villasor said.

The encounter in Calatrava also cause injuries to PFC Jerwin Aragona who is now being treated at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City.

Villasor said Ilustrisimo Sr. assumed another name to hide his real identity.

He said the elder Ilustrisimo faces rebellion and murder charges, while his son was charged in court for illegal possession of firearms.

Villasor said illegal possession of firearms and rebellion were also filed against Jolito Lambayong who was arrested by soldiers in Brgy.Pantao, Calatrava, for having an unlicensed 357 magnum revolver. He said Lambayong was among those injured in an encounter with 11th Infantry Battalions soldiers in Brgy Quezon, San Carlos City, in October last year.*GPB

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