The New People’s Army (NPA) leader who was killed in a skirmish with government troops in Quezon on February 21, 2022 was a former University of the Philippines scholar. Alias FACIO, who was later identified by his parents as Kevin Cedrick R Castro, was the Political Instructor of PLTN 2 YGM, KLG NARCISO and 3rd Deputy Secretary, SRMA 4A before he was killed in a firefight with Army troops.
According to his parents, Kevin was a graduating student of UP Diliman taking up BS in Education major in English but left said university with one semester remaining and joined the NPA in 2016. They did not know Kevin joined the armed group after being a student activist in UP Diliman. The last time they saw him was six years ago apparently teaching IP communities in Quezon province and heard nothing from him since.
The encounter happened at Sitio Saging, Brgy Binibitinan, Polillo, Quezon in the morning that resulted to the death of said NPA leader and the recovery of one (1) M653 rifle, anti-personnel mines, hand grenade, mobile phones and other subversive documents. Reportedly, troops of 1st Infantry Battalion received a tip from concerned residents on the presence of CTG members extorting money, threatening the populace and intimidating political candidates to give in to their Permit to Win/Permit to Campaign demands. When the soldiers went to verify the report, they were fired upon by the group of alias FACIO, thus prompted the troops to retaliate.
In a statement, Brigadier General Cerilo C Balaoro Jr PA, Commander, 202nd Infantry (Unifier) Brigade has extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and encourage the remaining NPA members to return to the fold of the law, be with their loved ones and live peacefully. He appealed to all parents to be vigilant and watch over their children from the deceptive recruitment schemes of the communist terrorists. He also called the youths and students to be cautious against CTG recruitment and be wary in joining organizations in campuses and thru online that are used as front organizations of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
Another young life was wasted and a family devastated due to the deception and exploitation by the CPP-NPA of the youths and students taking advantage of their idealism and innocence, BGen Balaoro lamented.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
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