TACLOBAN CITY — A high-ranking official of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and his two other companions were killed in an encounter with government troops in Barangay Cogon, Carigara, Leyte, on Wednesday, 18 June.

Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, said Juanito P. Sellesa Jr., alias Tibor, is among the casualties of the encounter between the communist guerrillas with the troops from the 93rd Infantry Battalion, that started early Wednesday morning.

Sellesa is said to be a member of the executive committee of the Island Committee LEVOX, the NPA unit of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee that is operating in Leyte Island.

His companions were identified as Eugene Paclita, alias Dimple, squad leader of Squad 2; and Lito L. Delante, alias Dodong, from the same unit.

The soldiers also recovered one M16 rifle, two long magazines, one caliber .45 pistol with two magazines, a hand grenade and personal things.

Sellesa and some unnamed members of the NPA are wanted for a murder case for their involvement in the killing of Jesus Sarcilla, alias Sosing of Barangay Binibihan, Carigara, Leyte on 7 December.

Sarcilla was killed in front of his daughter Zosima Sarcilla despite the goodwill extended by the victim to the guerrilla group by providing them food and shelter.

Aside from the case filed at the Regional Trial Court, Sellesa is also facing a case for violating International Humanitarian Law that was filed against his group at Branch 48, Regional Prosecution Office 8 of Commission on Human Rights Regional Office 8.