In Northern Samar clashes
TACLOBAN CITY– At least eight alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in separate armed encounters with government forces in Barangay San Isidro, Las Navas town, Northern Samar on Thursday, July 31.
According to a report from the 8th Infantry Division (ID) based in Catbalogan City, Samar, eight rebel members were killed, and eight high-powered firearms were recovered during the encounters.
The offensive was launched after residents reported the presence of armed men in San Isidro, a remote village which could only be reached via sea travel from the town proper, allegedly extorting and threatening farmers in the area.
The first encounter occurred around 2:30 a.m., when government troops stormed a heavily fortified NPA encampment, which was reportedly surrounded by anti-personnel mines (APMs) — weapons banned under international humanitarian law.
A firefight ensued, prompting the soldiers to call for fire support. The engagement resulted in the death of seven NPA members and the seizure of five M16 rifles, one R4 rifle, and an M203 grenade launcher.
A second clash erupted at 10:00 a.m. as pursuing elements from the 803rd Infantry Brigade, which is headquartered in Catarman, Northern Samar, encountered the fleeing rebels.
After a 30-minute firefight, one more NPA member was killed, and another R4 rifle was recovered.
Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, 8th ID commander, credited the victory to the timely tip-off from concerned civilians and the growing cooperation from communities once affected by conflict.
“This group continues to cling to their twisted ideology that has taken countless lives,” Orio said in a statement on Friday, August 1.
“We renew our call to the remaining communist terrorists to lay down their arms, return to their families, and rejoin society. We will not stop until Eastern Visayas is free from your violence,” he added.
Orio emphasized that the operation marks a step closer to ending the insurgency in the region.
Meantime, Las Navas Mayor Philbert Tan also appealed to the remaining NPA members to surrender.
“Wala nang suporta ang masa sa NPA dahil sa kanilang pananakot at pangingikil,” he said in a statement released through the 8th ID.
“Hinihikayat ko kayong magbalik-loob. Ang lokal at pambansang pamahalaan ay handang tumulong sa inyong pagbabagong-buhay para sa inyong pamilya at kinabukasan.”
The 8ID also recalled that the same NPA regional unit was responsible for the October 7, 2022 ambush in Jipapad, Eastern Samar, where two soldiers were killed, a 10-year-old child was wounded, and civilian properties were damaged.
The military continues its focused operations as part of the government’s peace and development initiatives across Eastern Visayas.
JOEY A. GABIETA
