FRESH CLASH. The map of Pinabacdao, Samar. The Philippine Army reported two fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) and a soldier were killed in a clash in a remote village in Pinabacdao, Samar on Wednesday (March 11, 2020). (Google map)
TACLOBAN CITY – Two fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) and a soldier were killed in a clash in a remote village in Pinabacdao, Samar on Wednesday.
Maj. Gen. Pio Diñoso III, commander of the Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division, said the gun battle took place in the upland Canlobo village near the boundary of Eastern Samar province around 8:15 a.m.
“About 11 NPA fighters and seven soldiers clashed in that remote village. Our soldiers have been patrolling in the area after residents reported about the activities of rebels near their village,” Diñoso told the Philippine News Agency (PNA), citing initial reports.
The military has yet to release the names of casualties from both sides.
Soldiers of the 46th Infantry Battalion recovered an M16 rifle from NPA fighters. Government troops have been hunting the rebels after they fled to unknown directions following the brief firefight.
Canlobo is one of the five upland villages in Pinabacdao town identified by the government troops as affected by the communist terrorist group.
These villages have been identified for various interventions by government agencies in its effort to wipe out the insurgency.
“We derive our strength from the people. I hope people will continue to help us by providing valuable information,” Diñoso added.
The official is upbeat of ending the insurgency problem soon with the creation of local task forces to end the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC).
In December 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 70, which institutionalized a whole-of-nation approach in dealing with insurgency through the creation of National Task Force ELCAC.
Eastern Visayas has 1,073 organized task forces comprised of the regional task force, six in provinces, seven in cities, 127 in towns, and 932 in villages.
“We are very optimistic about the creation of these task forces since we need a whole-of-nation approach to end insurgency. We are fighting but no problem is solved,” he said.
The NPA launched its first tactical operation in the country in Calbiga, Samar in 1974, when its members ambushed an Army scout patrol and seized weapons.
The NPA, which has been engaged in a five-decade armed struggle, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
