BACOLOD CITY – Two regional leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a clash with Philippine Army troops in the hinterlands of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion identified the fatalities as Hans “Jojo” Ponteras, the acting regional front secretary and finance officer of the NPA’s Regional Taxation Implementing Group for the Visayas, and Marissa Pobresa, Ponteras’ primary staff and regional communications officer.
According to Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, commander of the 79IB, the deaths of these key leaders represent a significant blow to the NPA in Negros and across the Visayas region.
“The neutralization of their regional front secretary and finance officer, along with their communications officer, marks a major setback for the NPA’s operations,” Calaoagan stated.
The firefight occurred around 1:50 a.m. in Hacienda Paraiso, Barangay Caduha-an, involving approximately seven NPA rebels. Ponteras and Pobresa’s bodies were abandoned by their comrades after the clash.
Troops recovered firearms, grenades, and subversive documents, including extortion letters allegedly signed by Ponteras under the alias “Armando Magbanua.” There were no casualties on the military’s side.
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