A Philippine Air Force intelligence operative already marked AWOL (Absent-Without-Leave) and a victim of an ambush on May 26 in La Libertad, Oriental Negros, is a political supporter of Congresswoman-elect Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st District), the military said yesterday.

Lt. Col. Jess Manangquil, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, said Air Force Sgt. Jonimar Emperado has already been dropped from the rolls of the Philippine Air Force after being AWOL for almost three months. Emperado joined the list of six other supporters of Limkaichong who were also victims of an ambush on March 9, in La Libertad.

Limkaichong, outgoing La Libertad mayor, won the congressional race against the Olive Paras, wife of Rep. Jacinto Paras (1st district, Negros Oriental).

The Leonardo Panaligan Command had earlier claimed responsibility for the ambush-slay of Aya Brgy.Capt. Lydio Baylon and five other civilians in Brgy. Manluminsag, La Libertad on March 9. It alleged that some of the victims were "armed goons" of a politician.

Manangquil said Emperado was also an anti-communist advocate.

Baylon and other civilians killed in an ambush on March 9 in La Libertad were also actively involved in the anti-insurgency campaign of the military in central Negros.

Manangquil said they are also looking into another angle in the ambush of Emperado, but refused to elaborate on it because of the ongoing investigations.

Emperado was the third military intelligence operative to die in an ambush and in assassination activities of insurgents in Negros island since last year, military records show.

Emperado head died, but his 9-year-old daughter survived, with a minor wound on her left knee.

Military investigations show they were on board a motorcycle on their way to Brgy. Aya, La Libertad, when they were ambushed by about 10 unidentified armed men.*GPB

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