MORE TROOPS. Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Battalion (3IB) stand in attention in an undisclosed place in this undated photo. The Visayas Command on Tuesday (Feb. 1, 2022) said the 3IB will be deployed in Samar province to end the communist terrorism in the area before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte ends. (Photo courtesy of Viscom PIO)
CEBU CITY – The Visayas Command (Viscom) on Tuesday said an additional Army battalion will be deployed to Samar as part of the move of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to end local communist terrorism in the province.
In a statement, Viscom said the move was in accordance with the directive of AFP chief of staff, Gen. Andres Centino, to end armed conflict with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte ends.
Viscom commander, Lt. Gen. Robert Dauz, said he welcomed the addition of the new battalion, saying it will play a significant role to further boost the internal security operation and expedite the dismantling efforts against the remaining guerilla fronts in the province.
"The servant in the Visayas welcomes the additional member of our team. The addition of this unit only manifests the sincerity of our government to eradicate the menace of the communist terrorists in this part of the country, and sustain the people's democratic way of life,” he said.
Dauz added that despite the “diminishing strength of the communist terrorists in Samar, there will be no let-up operation in putting an end to the communist terrorists' reign of terror”.
On Monday, an encounter between members of the 19th Infantry Battalion and the communist terrorists under Front Committee 1 of the Sub-Regional Committee ‘Emporium’ transpired at Barangay Senonogan de Tubang of Silvino Lobos town in Northern Samar.
The encounter resulted in the recovery of an anti-personnel mine, a .45-caliber pistol, and an improvised rifle.
No reported casualty on the side of government while it is still determining the casualties and injuries on the side of the communist terrorists.
“Being the servant in the Visayas, Viscom finds no satisfaction in killing the communist terrorists. Our real sense of fulfillment is for them to return to mainstream society and live a peaceful and progressive life with their families,” Dauz said, adding they will “keep on encouraging them to lay down their arms and abandon their armed struggle (and) avail the government's local integration program while they still can.”
Major Israel Galorio, Viscom information officer, told the Philippine News Agency that an advanced party of the 3rd Infantry Battalion (3IB) is now in Samar to prepare for the arrival of the troops.
The 3IB headed by Col. Juvenal Mark Tayamen will be the battalion to be deployed in Samar under the operational control of Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm (8th Infantry Division).
The battalion came from a six-year stint in Paquibato District in the hinterlands of Davao City.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. (PNA)
