Joint forces of the 31st Infantry Battalion together with the elements from Sorsogon PNP staged attack to the safe haven of Andres Hubilla also known as Kumander Magno/ Bunso/Carlo/Simon, the known leader of Komniteng Larangan 3, Komprob Sorsogon of the Bicol Regional Party Committee, operating in the whole province of Sorsogon. The three others killed are identified as Dick Laura and Arnel Borres while the other one still remains to be unidentified. Recovered in the encounter are one cal .45 pistol with one magazine, one cal 38 revolver, one laptop, one USB, personal belongings of rebels and other subversive documents.
Hubilla is identified as the highest communist leader of Sorsogon. Moreover, he has been facing criminal charges such as frustrated murder, double murder and rebellion that were filed last 2014. His group is also known for extortion activities targeting businessmen and construction companies who are implementing government projects in the province. Further, Hubilla is also responsible for the execution of active and retired soldiers, policemen and suspected government informants.
He was first apprehended in a checkpoint along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Villahermosa, Daraga, Albay last April 12, 2008 but availed provisional liberty. Further, on November 25, 2015 Hubilla was again apprehended in Trece Martires City, Cavite but again availed for provisional liberty on May 11, 2016 after rendering a bail amounting to P200, 000.00 as recommended by the court.
This clash is in response to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s pronouncement at his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to crush the armed rebels. President Duterte proclaimed that there will be no peace talk with the CNN, instead he ordered the AFP to neutralize these rebels.
Meanwhile, the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army is calling on other rebels to lay down their arms as soon as possible to enjoy a peaceful life with their family under the government. 9ID is willing to help the surrenders to avail the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the government as a tool to face their new lives.
Maj. Gen. Manolito P. Orense, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division expresses his sympathy for the families and friend of the killed rebels along with this, he also lauded his men for this new accomplishment. Further, Maj. Gen. Orense assures the Bicolanos that 9ID will continue in conducting focused military operation to completely defeat the NPA rebels to bring peace and development in the region.
