by Miriam G. Desacada
Tacloban City–Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. visited Eastern Visayas to honor the soldiers there of his presence, specifically the 8th Infantry Division’s 803rd Infantry Brigade (803rd IBde) for eliminating the four remaining guerrilla fronts of the NPA in the region.
“I am very proud that the 8th ID and the Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm have achieved so much and accomplished so much that contributed to the success of our campaign against the communist terrorist group in this area,” Brawner said as he proudly shared also the joy of Christmas with his troops.
Brawner visited one of 8ID’s forward operating detachment in Las Navas, Northern Samar and also the division’s headquarters in Catbalogan City where, in both places, he delivered Christmas gifts and conveyed his best wishes to his soldiers.
The most significant aspect of Brawner’s visit was on his personal commendation to the 803rd IBde that succeeded in freeing Eastern Visayas of the NPA’s remaining four guerrilla fronts that had been destroying the peace and economy of the region for decades.
“Because of this, there are no more active guerilla fronts here and we are confident that we can finish the fight against the remaining weakened enemy formations next year,” Brawner told the local media.
The 803rd IBde was a recipient of four presidential streamers, symbolizing the four fronts it eliminated this year, at the conferment of awards ceremony by President Bongbong Marcos Jr., during the AFP Founding Anniversary held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on December 11.
The 803rd IBde, headed by Brigadier General Efren F. Morados, is based in Catarman, Northern Samar with areas of jurisdiction in Northern Samar and part of (western) Samar.
Brawner also lauded the accomplishments of the 8ID, headed by Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo, whose efforts as JTF commander resulted “in the weakening of guerrilla fronts in the area, according to AFP public affairs office chief, Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, who was also with the visiting AFP officials.
Brawner recalled, on the side, his experience as a young officer operating against the communist terrorists in the towns of Las Navas, Matuginao, and Jipapad, while he was then the commander of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion and Special Operations Task Group-Samar.
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Morados, for his part, spoke to the media and confirmed that his troops were able to dismantle the four active guerrilla fronts in Region 8. “Kaya wala na. We are already cleared of the NPA guerrilla fronts (the horizontal formations of the rebels),” he declared.
However, Morados mentioned of the remaining skeletal force of the terrorists. “What is left are the vertical formations, which is composed of sub-regional guerrilla units (SRGUs). But we are dealing with them, in tandem with the 801st and 802nd IBdes,” he said confidently, hinting that these will be eliminated sooner also.
This dismantling of the bothersome guerrilla fronts “is a good signal for Region 8 and for Northern Samar, particularly, because this signifies the presence of peace in the area, promotes tourism, and boosts the economy,” Morados added.
“Malaki na ang pinagbago sa Eastern Visayas, simula ng campaign namin, noon at ngayon. Dati parati sinasabi na magulo sa Northern Samar because of the NPAs but, with this development, we hope that the people will see that Northern Samar is now free of the NPA terrorists.” Morados further said. —Miriam G. Desacada