The focus on the elections by the Philippine Army on May 13 stalled the pursuit operations against New People’s Army rebels who figured in an encounter with 47th Infantry Battalion, which claimed the lives of five soldiers, Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday.

With the elections finally over, Aying said they are now back to normal operations against the NPA, especially in southern Negros, where Rogelio Danoso, alias Ka Gildo, is the new leader of the rebel group.

Danoso reportedly replaced Reniel Cellon, alias Ka Kumpol, who, with his wife, Mary Jane Magquilat, and three others, were arrested last month at a Comelec checkpoint in Brgy. Dancalan, Ilog.

Aying said the South West Front of the NPA suffered a leadership vacuum, following the arrest of Cellon, who is facing a string of murder and frustrated murder charges in court.

Cellon was denied bail.

Military records show that Danoso was arrested two years ago in Bacolod City. He, however, was later freed from jail, after posting bail for illegal possession of firearms.

Aying said they have not monitored any violent activity by the NPA in the May 13 elections, as they also needed votes for their favored candidates.

Multiple murder charges are now being readied by the military against the rebels who killed the five Army soldiers on May 4 in Sitio Umas, Brgy. Camindangan, Sipalay City.

The NPA also took the six high-powered firearms of the slain soldiers.* GPB

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