Daily Tribune‘This is a clear message to the remaining members of the (community-terrorist groups) that we are serious in our vow to achieve total victory against insurgency in Eastern Visayas.’
Photo courtesy of the 19th Infantry "Commando" Battalion, 8ID, PA | FB
CATBALOGAN CITY —Government troops who are in a hot pursuit of communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who fled following a bloody shootout that left six rebels killed on Monday figured in a series of encounters that left a trail of blood and unidentified bodies of fallen guerrillas.
Reports reaching the 8th Infantry Division here said the pursuing soldiers met an undetermined number of NPA members in Barangay Victory, Las Navas on Thursday, 5 December, 2024 at around 3 p.m.
The shootout left one dead NPA rebel who identity is yet to be determined and a recovery of one M16 rifle.
Two hours later, a second military encounter happened in Barangay Geparayan de Turag in Silvino Lubos town that resulted in the death of another NPA member.
Lt. Col. Marvin Maraggun, Commanding Officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion, said the blood trails at the encounter site suggests that additional communist guerillas may have been wounded.
Maraggun said the government troops also recovered one more cadaver from its 2 December operation on top of the six bodies that were earlier found, which include two high ranking NPA leaders. The newly found body was identified as Naldo Jarito, allegedly a member of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
Maraggun attributed the success of the operations to the support of local residents and Barangay Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict that reported sightings of armed individuals.
“Your vigilance and partnership are crucial in achieving lasting peace, security and development in Northern Samar,” Maraggun said. He also thanked the residents of Paco, Sag-od, L. Empon, Rufino, and Caputoan villages for their unwavering support in the success of the recent military operations.
Meanwhile, Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, reiterated his call for the remaining communist rebels to surrender peacefully, warning that continued resistance will lead to further casualties.
“This is a clear message to the remaining members of the (community-terrorist groups) that we are serious in our vow to achieve total victory against insurgency in Eastern Visayas,” Maj. Gen. Orio said.
Orio also encourage active guerillas to avail and take advantage of the National Amnesty Program offered by the government. He said they may coordinate with their relatives or local chief executives to arrange for their safe passage and formalize their application for amnesty.
