The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division reported successful operations against rebel groups in Eastern Visayas.
The division’s operations resulted in the neutralization of high-value individuals and key leaders and the seizure of firearms and other war materials.
From January to December, the division engaged in 93 armed encounters across the region. These operations resulted in the neutralization of 41 CTG members, two of which are considered high-value individuals and six are key leaders, the recovery of 75 firearms, 48 International Humanitarian Law (IHL)-banned Anti-Personnel Mines (APMs), and the seizure of 143 NPA lairs, additional weapons from arms caches and surrenders.
The high-value individuals were identified as Ariel Baselga alias Ariel/Polly, the Secretary of SRC Emporium who was neutralized on December 2, 2024, in an encounter at Brgy. Paco, Las Navas, Northern Samar; and alias Ruby, Secretary of SRC Sesame who surrendered to 78th Infantry Battalion on November 29, 2024.
Among the significant accomplishments in 2024 is the dismantling of the Apoy and Bugsok Platoon of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Sesame, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
