TACLOBAN CITY – Two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a firefight with government troops in the upland village of San Jose, Mapanas, Northern Samar, on Wednesday afternoon, August 27.
The encounter occurred at around 4:30 p.m. during a focused military operation after residents reported the presence of armed men reportedly engaged in extortion activities in the area, the 8th Infantry Division, which is based in Catbalogan City, Samar, said in a statement Thursday, August 28.
A brief but intense gun battle ensued between government troops and about 10 communist guerrillas, resulting in the death of two rebels and the recovery of two M16 rifles, 175 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, 87 rounds of M14 ammunition, five long magazines, and other war materiel.
The remaining rebels reportedly fled, leaving their slain comrades behind. No casualties were reported on the government side.
Northern Samar is among the few remaining areas in Eastern Visayas where the military continues to conduct operations against NPA units.
The Philippine Army has intensified its campaign to dismantle communist guerrilla fronts in the region, which has long been a hotspot of insurgency.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
