By Miriam G. Desacada
Tacloban City–A member of the NPA terrorist group was killed in an encounter with the troops of the 74th Infantry Battalion in the mountains of Barangay Roxas in Catubig, Northern Samar on Saturday (November .25), the day before 17 other terrorists voluntarily surrendered to the same military unit.
The 74th IB soldiers were on a military operation when they got engaged in a firefight against a group of NPA terrorists, numbering about 20, who reportedly were remnants of the Front Committee 15 of the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit (SRGU) of the insurgents hiding in the mountains of Roxas village.
The gunbattle ran for about 10 minutes, and resulted in the death of one terrorist, later identified as Jelmar Mendez, alias Jet.
Jet, a resident of Barangay Siljagon in Mapanas, Northern Samar was a medical officer of Sentro de Gravidad SRGU, Arctic of Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC). His dead body was taken to a funeral parlor in Gamay, Norther Samar where it was claimed later by his family.
Lieutenant Colonel Jose Roy Manuel Dizon, commander of the 74th IB, said the success of his troops’ operation was attributed to the relevant information from the residents of the barangay.
“We thank the residents for their cooperation in providing relevant information that resulted in the success of the operation. However, we are saddened that another life was lost because of their senseless ideology,” Dizon said, as he also extended his sympathy and condolences to the family of the slain terrorist.
The next day, Dizon led the welcome of 17 NPA members who went to the battalion headquarters and surrendered. Nine of them were members of the Batakang Organisasyong Pampartido (BOP), and eight were members of Yunit Militia (YM). All 17 of them are residents of Barangay Siljagon in Mapanas town.
Military accomplishment for November alone showed that a total of four terrorists were killed in various encounters, while those who surrendered were 10 NPA regulars, 15 BOP, and 20 YM members.
Meanwhile, 8th Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Camilo Z. Ligayo said that the armed struggle of the communist rebels is futile and has only brought senseless deaths and suffering to the people.
“We are all Filipinos and killing each other will not solve any of our problems. There is another way, lay down your arms, and return to the comfort of your families and friends,” said the general in a statement shared to the media.
Ligayo also assured the communist terrorist groups that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, together with other government agencies under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), are sincere in helping the rebels start their normal lives anew.
“The Army is sincere in its offer of peace; we are willing to extend our hand to those CPP-NPA members who are willing to surrender. We will ensure your safety and well-being when you lay down your arms to live peacefully with your family. The government has programs to help you uplift your lives and that of your family,” Ligayo further said. —-Miriam G. Desacada