Lieutenant Colonel Felix Babac identified him as Tolentino Bariquit alias Ka Bigol who led an NPA unit actively operating in Sarangani and Davao del Sur. He said, "We were able to confirm Bariquit's identity based on the testimonies of residents," adding his five other fellow slain militants were known only by their aliases. Babac said an estimated 30 militants fled when they saw their leader slain.
The battle happened on Monday morning in a remote village in the town of Alabel, Sarangani while a team of soldiers were also checking on complaints from an indigenous group called the B'laans that NPA militants have been regularly extorting food and money from them in exchange for their protection.The clash came a day after policemen foiled an attack by about 50 heavily armed militants in military uniforms in Mati City, Davao Oriental province on Monday night.
Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario said four soldiers and a militant were killed and five others were injured during a heavy exchange of gunfire. She said the four slain soldiers belonged to a military reinforcement sent to help the beleaguered policemen but were ambushed by the NPA who set off an improvised bomb along the road.