3 more NPAs found dead in series of encounters in Northern Samar
Photo courtesy of the 19th Infantry "Commando" Battalion, 8ID, PA | FB
CATBALOGAN CITY — Government troops pursuing communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who fled after a bloody shootout on Monday—leaving six rebels dead—engaged in a series of encounters that resulted in more fatalities and the recovery of unidentified bodies.
Reports reaching the 8th Infantry Division revealed that soldiers encountered an undetermined number of NPA members in Barangay Victory, Las Navas, on Thursday, 5 December 2024, at around 3 p.m. The clash left one NPA rebel dead, whose identity has yet to be determined, and led to the recovery of an M16 rifle.
Two NPA terrorists neutralized in follow-up operations.
Photo courtesy of the 19th Infantry "Commando" Battalion, 8ID, PA | FB
Two hours later, another encounter occurred in Barangay Geparayan de Turag, Silvino Lubos, resulting in the death of another NPA member.
Lt. Col. Marvin Maraggun, Commanding Officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion, said blood trails at the encounter sites suggest additional communist guerrillas may have been wounded.
Maraggun added that one more cadaver was recovered from the December 2 operation, bringing the total to seven, including two high-ranking NPA leaders. The newly identified body was that of Naldo Jarito, allegedly a member of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
Photo courtesy of the 19th Infantry "Commando" Battalion, 8ID, PA | FB
Maraggun credited the success of the operations to local residents and the Barangay Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, who reported sightings of armed individuals.
“Your vigilance and partnership are crucial in achieving lasting peace, security, and development in Northern Samar,” Maraggun said, extending his gratitude to residents of Paco, Sag-od, L. Empon, Rufino, and Caputoan villages for their unwavering support.
Meanwhile, Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, reiterated his call for remaining communist rebels to surrender peacefully, warning that continued resistance would result in further casualties.
“This is a clear message to the remaining members of the [communist-terrorist groups] that we are serious in our vow to achieve total victory against insurgency in Eastern Visayas,” Maj. Gen. Orio said.
Orio also encouraged active guerrillas to take advantage of the National Amnesty Program offered by the government. He urged them to coordinate with their relatives or local chief executives to arrange safe passage and formalize their application for amnesty.