By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army said the recent series of armed encounters between government forces and remnants of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar indicates a weakening of the rebels’ strength.
On Monday, the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) said the NPA’s losses in recent years have forced its members to engage in short, sporadic clashes while struggling to maintain cohesion.
“Despite their attempts to evade government forces, our troops remain relentless in pursuing these armed groups. Their abandonment of their fallen comrades once again exposes their disregard for human life among their ranks,” according to the 8ID statement.
The military issued the statement following a brief firefight on April 24 in the hinterlands of Barangay Caulayanan, Motiong, Samar, against remnants of the Yakal platoon of the NPA’s sub-regional committee under the Eastern Visayas regional party committee.
After the encounter, government troops recovered two bodies of unidentified rebels abandoned by their comrades, along with an M14 rifle and a .45-caliber pistol.
The 8ID emphasized that the latest encounter is another significant setback to the already weakened communist terrorist group (CTG) operating in Eastern Visayas.
“The neutralization of these armed individuals and the recovery of their firearms further degrade the CTG’s operational capability in Samar. This reflects the sustained pressure our troops on the ground are applying,” it said.
Focused military operations continue in the area to track down the fleeing NPA members and prevent further threats to the peace and security of the communities.
The clash occurred a week after a 17-year-old rebel was killed and several firearms were recovered following a series of armed encounters with NPA members in the hinterlands of Barangay Salvacion in Jiabong, Samar.
Also on the same day, government troops uncovered a cache of firearms in Barangay San Isidro, Sta. Rita. The recovered weapons included two .357-caliber pistols, three .38-caliber revolvers, and two .22-caliber firearms.
On April 16, government troops clashed with NPA remnants in the periphery of Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar.
The military reiterated the government’s resolve to protect its citizens and uphold national security, warning that continued armed resistance would only lead to further loss of life and hardship for communist members and their families. (PNA)
