Were communist leaders Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria among the fatalities in the Aug. 22, 2022 boat blast? SCREENGRAB FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF CPP-NPA-NDFP
ON August 22, a pump boat carrying suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Army (NPA) exploded in the waters off Western Samar, killing several, if not most of its passengers. The boat was carrying ammunition, firearms, maybe explosives, and at least some of the people on the boat had been exchanging fire with pursuing soldiers. Eight bodies, several torn to pieces, one headless, were retrieved from the waters the next day. The identities of the fatalities remain unknown.