by Miriam G. Desacada
Tacloban City–Two members of the communist terrorists group (CTG) died in a three-minute firefight against the blocking forces of the 87th Infantry Battalion (87IB) in one of the armed clashes at the mountains of Barangay Sto. Nino in Paranas, Samar Wednesday morning (Feb. 5).
The two yet unidentified fatalities were among those CTG members who were retreating from two gunbattles with two separate groups of 87IB soldiers, the latest clash of which was minutes earlier, and the first one about three hours apart, in both instances the terrorists were in engage-and-run tactics.
In the third and final encounter, where the fleeing terrorists got entangled with the 87IB blocking forces, two of the CTG members were killed but, as they continued their escape, they left behind several items seized by the victorious government troops.
Among the valuable items confiscated were: one M16 rifle; one .45-caliber pistol; two anti-personnel mines banned by the International Humanitarian Law (IHL);one rifle grenade; assorted magazines; ammunition; and various war materials.
The encounters were the result of focused military operations in response to the information provided by concerned barangay residents who tipped off the government troops that a group of armed CTGs were conducting extortion activities in their community.
The initial clash occurred at around 5 a.m. Wednesday when 87IB troops encountered an undetermined number of CTGs, believed to be members of Yakal Platoon, sub-cegional Committee Browser of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
These CTGs eventually fled but at around 8 am., they encountered another group of 87IB troops, engaged momentarily, and fled anew until, only minutes later, they met the battalion’s blocking forces and were subsequently neutralized.
Brigadier General Lenart Lelina, commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade, issued an official statement, first expressing his sympathy to the families of the slain terrorists, emphasizing that the loss of life is always tragic and reiterating the military’s commitment to peace and reconciliation.
Lelina then urged the remaining terrorists to consider laying down their arms and embracing the government’s reintegration programs to build a more peaceful and progressive future.
Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, for his part, said that the success of the operations was made possible because of the concerns and eagerness of the barangay people to help the government in eradicating the CTGs in Samar.
“This is our strong response to the wishes of our people to be free from the continuous threats of the remaining terrorists. We will continue to scour every mountain of Eastern Visayas until we get rid of the last CTG member,” Orio declared.
Orio added that, despite the aggressive operations against the CTGs, the government troops are still willing to help those who want to surrender and decide to live a new and peaceful life with their families. —Miriam G. Desacada