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)

ORMOC CITY– A 28-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing a piglet and carrying an unlicensed firearm during a police operation in Barangay Ipil 1, Palompon, on August 23.

Palompon OIC police chief Police Captain Rushty Alvarado identified the suspect as “Elmer,” a jobless resident of Sitio Makupa, Barangay Taberna.

The arrest came after a resident of Barangay San Miguel, identified as “Aurel,” reported the theft of his piglet worth P4,500. Intelligence operatives tracked the stolen animal to a buyer, “Vangie,” leading them to the suspect during a follow-up operation.

Police said the suspect appeared uneasy during questioning, revealing the handle of a short firearm tucked in his waistband. When asked for a license, he admitted he had none.

Recovered from the suspect was a .38-caliber revolver with no serial number and three live rounds. The piglet was returned to its owner.

The suspect is facing charges of theft and illegal possession of a firearm under RA 10591. He remains in police custody.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— Authorities arrested seven men for illegal possession of firearms while allegedly preparing to hunt wildlife in Barangay Calipayan, Culaba, Biliran, on afternoon, August 20.

The suspects, identified by their aliases as “Jov,” 39; “Lon,” 37; “Rod,” 39; “Ryan,” 23; “Ran,” 38; “Joms,” 30; and “Renz,” 27, are all residents of the same barangay and reportedly engaged in hunting wild boar (baboy ramo) without the necessary permits.

According to the police report submitted to the Police Regional Office 8, personnel from the Culaba Municipal Police Station, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Biliran Police Provincial Office, and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) intercepted the group during a patrol in the mountainous area of Barangay Calipayan.

Seized from the suspects were six improvised firearms locally known as “sumpak,” a shotgun without a serial number, and 22 live 12-gauge shotgun rounds. The suspects failed to present any legal documents, such as a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF), firearm registration, and a Permit to Carry Firearm Outside Residence (PTCFOR). They also had no hunting permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The arrests constitute violations of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and Republic Act 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act).

(ROBERT DEJON)