by Miriam G Desacada
Tacloban City, Samar—The top military leadership in Eastern Visayas region have confirmed three more NPA terrorists were killed and two M16 rifles were seized after an armed encounter following two successive encounters between the government forces and the NPA members in the hinterlands of Barangay Victory, Las Navas, and Barangay Geparayan de Turag, Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar, on Dec. 5, 2024.
Captain Jefferson Mariano spokesperson and Chief of the 8th ID ,Public Affairs Office said that the troops from the 803rd Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, were conducting a hot pursuit operation when they first encountered an undetermined number of suspected NPA terrorists paround 3 p.m. in Barangay Victory, Las Navas. The said encounter also resulted to the recovery of one cadaver, whose identity is yet to be determined, and an M16 rifle.
While a second encounter occurred at approximately 5 p.m. on the same day, December 5, in Barangay Geparayan de Turag, Silvino Lubos. This resulted in the death of another NPA member, whose identity is also still being verified. “Blood trails at the encounter site suggests that additional CTG members may have been wounded.”
In an earlier operation on December 2, another unidentified body was discovered and later identified as Naldo Jarito, reportedly a member of the the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
Lt. Col. Marvin Maraggun, Commanding Officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion, acknowledged the support of local residents and Barangay Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict for their cooperation in reporting sightings of armed individuals. “Your vigilance and partnership are crucial in achieving lasting peace, security and development in Northern Samar,” Maraggun emphasized , as he also expressed gratitude to the residents of Paco, Sag-od, L. Empon, Rufino, and Caputoan for their unwavering support in the success of the recent military operations.
Meanwhile, Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, reiterated his call for the remaining NPA’s to surrender peacefully, warning that continued resistance will lead to further casualties.
“This is a clear message to the remaining members of the NPA that we are serious in our vow to achieve total victory against insurgency in Eastern Visayas,” said Maj. Gen. Orio.
The Army General added encouraging active rebel members to avail and take advantage of the National Amnesty Program offered by the government. They may coordinate with their relatives or local chief executives to arrange for their safe passage and formalize their application for amnesty ,He stressed.