In Northern Samar
(Photo courtesy of the municipal government of Las Navas)
TACLOBAN CITY — Las Navas, Northern Samar, Mayor John Philbert Tan has urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities following separate armed encounters between government troops and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in two villages of the municipality.
In a statement, Tan acknowledged public concerns over the October 4 firefight in Barangay Poponton and another armed encounter in Barangay Palanas on October 8, assuring residents that the municipal government is coordinating with security forces and concerned government agencies to protect communities and maintain peace and order.
He cautioned residents, particularly those in affected and neighboring areas, against spreading unverified information that could fuel fear and confusion, and encouraged them to report information that could help authorities ensure public safety.
Despite the incidents, Tan called for collective efforts to achieve lasting peace, urging members of armed groups to return to their families and communities and abandon armed struggle.
He also assured those who wish to surrender that the local government is prepared to assist them in rebuilding their lives and reintegrating into their communities.
The mayor’s appeal followed a report by the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division on the October 4 encounter in Barangay Poponton, where troops of the 20th Infantry Battalion engaged suspected NPA members following reports that armed individuals were allegedly extorting and threatening civilians.
The military urged residents to continue cooperating with government forces and encouraged remaining members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to surrender and avail themselves of government reintegration assistance.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
