AGAINST THE REBELS. The new battalion of the 8th Infantry Division formed to fight communist rebels in Eastern Visayas (File photo by Philippine Army)
TACLOBAN CITY -- The Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas is on full alert for the 49th anniversary of the New People’s Army on March 29.
The date falls on Maundy Thursday when many pilgrims are expected to flock to churches and pilgrimage sites in the region.
“The Army will remain steadfast in its campaign in protecting the populace from terrorists and other threat group’s criminal activities, and secure churches, places of religious worship, resorts, economic centers, seat of government instrumentalities, and other vital installations to ensure the peaceful observance of the Lenten season,” said Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio, in a statement issued Monday. He said security measures in camps and detachments were heightened.
The top military official in the region issued the statement after soldiers encountered five NPA fighters in the upland Cansangaya village in Can-avid, Eastern Samar before noon on Sunday.
The army acted in on the information of residents that communist rebels were conducting extortion activities in their community.
No one on either side was hurt during the five-minute firefight, but soldiers recovered a rifle and a bandolier with four clips of magazine with ammunition as rebels fled to the forest.
The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines formed and founded by Bernabe Buscayno and Lucio Manlapaz on March 29, 1969.
In Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Army disclosed that three cities and 24 towns in the region have confirmed NPA activities. There are 404 active NPA members in the region equipped with 576 firearms in the region’s four provinces, the military said. (PNA)
