TWO New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas were reported killed and three high-powered firearms seized during an armed encounter with government troops in the hinterlands of Barangay Bulao, Las Navas, Northern Samar on Friday, Dec. 19.
The Army’s 8th Infantry Division said soldiers of the 20th Infantry Brigade were responding to villagers’ report about the presence of a group of communist insurgents in their community.
The military said the rebels were allegedly coercing and extorting the farmers, forcing them to surrender portions of their harvest and demanding cash from residents, prompting the villagers to seek the help of authorities.
The 8th ID said government forces will remain on heightened alert in the area to prevent the rebels from regrouping and to ensure the safety of local communities, particularly farmers in remote villages.
