LANDMINE ATTACK FOILED. A grenade found in the body of a rebel slain in a clash in Dolores, Eastern Samar early Sunday (Aug. 16, 2020). The recent clash between the Philippine Army and the communist terrorist group that killed a rebel and wounded two soldiers has stopped the planting of improvised explosive devices (IED) in Eastern Samar. (Contributed photo)
TACLOBAN CITY – The recent clash between the Philippine Army and the communist terrorist group, which resulted in the death of a rebel and wounding of two soldiers, has stopped the planting of improvised explosive devices (IED) in Eastern Samar.
In a press statement sent to reporters on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Oliver Alvior, commander of the Philippine Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion, said government troops recovered IED and a hand grenade from the body of a rebel slain in a firefight pre-dawn on Sunday on the outskirts of Dolores, Eastern Samar.
“Local residents reported to us that they have been disturbed by NPA’s (New People's Army) plan to plant IEDs since there had been many incidents in the province wherein innocent civilians were killed just like what happened in Borongan City," Alvior said.
The official was referring to the December 13, 2019 incident where a policeman and an elderly woman were killed, while three minors, including an infant, were injured by a roadside bomb planted by a communist terrorist group in Borongan City.
Several IEDs planted by the NPA targeting front-liners during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis were also recovered by government troops in Samar Island, according to Alvior.
On Sunday, troops of the Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion had a five-minute clash with about 20 armed rebels planting an IED in Cagtabon village, Dolores town.
The encounter resulted in the death of NPA fighter Dino Dabila, 25, a resident of Cagtabon village.
Joint police and army troops recovered his body at the encounter site. Two soldiers were wounded in the clash.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade has expressed sympathy to the family of the slain NPA member as they hold the terror group accountable for his death.
"The death of another Filipino is a waste of life. We condemn the NPA for luring people into their fake revolution and planting bombs that indiscriminately kill or injure even civilians," Ligayo said.
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)
