CLASH SITE. The map of Silvino Lubos in Northern Samar. A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) died in a clash with government troops on the outskirts of the town on Tuesday (Feb. 23, 2022). (Google image)
TACLOBAN CITY – A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel died in a clash with government troops on the outskirts of Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar on Tuesday.
The still unidentified dead fighter is believed to be a member of the NPA front committee operating in Northern Samar.
He was one of the members of the communist terrorist group who engaged the government soldiers in a 20-minute clash in upland Deit de Turag village around 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Bloodstains were also traced along the withdrawal route of the terrorists towards the tri-boundary of Silvino Lubos – Las Navas – Pambujan, according to a report by the Philippine Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade (803rd IBde).
After the gun battle, the terrorist scampered in different directions leaving behind a dead fighter, an M16 rifle, a short magazine loaded with 10 live ammunition, and other war materials.
“The group of NPA had been frequently monitored terrorizing and extorting from the people of Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar,” the Army said in its report posted on Tuesday night.
Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo, 803rd IBde commander, has called on NPA leaders in the area to turn in their wounded comrades for immediate medical treatment.
“We are thankful to the very supportive populace of Deit de Turag village for volunteering information that led to the encounter with the terrorist group,” Peñaredondo said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a team leader of the NPA has surrendered to policemen on Tuesday in Gandara, Samar turning over his firearm and grenade.
Police identified the NPA fighter as alias Yamog, 24, resident of San Antonio village in Gandara town, team leader of an NPA squad operating in Samar provinces.
He handed over a Smith and Wesson revolver with defaced serial number, five live ammunition, and one fragmentation grenade.
The surrenderer is now under the custody of the Gandara municipal police station.
He was endorsed to avail the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for former rebels.
Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director, reiterated his call for NPA members to surrender and abandon the senseless armed struggle.
"We are consistent with our pursuit to stop armed conflict in the region and prevent any atrocities committed by the communist terrorist group. It would be best to convince more rebels to withdraw their support to the NPA and finally clear their minds, come out from their hideouts and surrender,” Banac said.
Through the programs of the National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the official is confident that more NPA members will be convinced to trust the government, according to Banac.
NTF-ELCAC is the whole-of-nation approach to attain inclusive and sustainable peace.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)- NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The National Democratic Front has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
