ANTI-NPA DRIVE. Soldiers march after their training in a camp in Hinabangan, Samar to fight the New People's Army in Eastern Visayas. The Philippine Army is gaining grounds on its drive to wipe out insurgents in Samar provinces with the seizure of high-powered firearms and the discovery of a rebel’s lair on Sunday (Nov. 3, 2019). (Photo by Philippine Army)
TACLOBAN CITY -- The Philippine Army is gaining grounds on its drive to wipe out insurgents in Samar provinces with the seizure of high-powered firearms and discovery of a rebel’s lair on Sunday.
Soldiers from the 801st Infantry Brigade recovered on Sunday an AK-47 rifle, two M-16 rifles, several magazines and ammunition, and two backpacks containing personal belongings, and subversive documents.
Government troops seized these firearms following a clash with 10 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Lim-ao village, Hinabangan, Samar around 9:30 p.m. on November 3.
“After 10 minutes of firefight, the rebels withdrew towards different directions. There were no casualties on the government side while an undetermined number of rebels were wounded as indicated by the bloodstains along the enemy’s route of withdrawal,” the Philippine Army said in a statement issued Tuesday.
Hours earlier, troops from 14th Infantry Battalion discovered an abandoned NPA lair on the outskirts of Trinidad village in Oras, Eastern Samar that can accommodate about 20 terrorists.
The communist terrorist group managed to escape before government troops arrived around 5:30 pm. The operation was in response to reports of residents of sightings of armed rebels.
Also on Sunday, soldiers of 46th Infantry Battalion had a clash with a group of rebels in upland Antol village, Calbiga, Samar. Two soldiers were slightly wounded during the gun battle.
“These recent encounters and the discovery of an enemy encampment indicate the continuing support of the local populace and all agencies of the government under the task force to end local communist armed conflict and manifest that the communist terrorist group are persona non-grata in the area and in most parts of Eastern Visayas," said Maj. Gen. Pio Diñoso III, commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division.
He urged rebels to lay down their firearms and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program benefits being offered by the government to start a productive life with their families.
Some Samar areas are considered as the NPA’s stronghold in Eastern Visayas due to poor road network, thick forest, high poverty incidence, and low level of education in upland communities.
The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
