Three rebels were killed and two M16 rifles were seized following armed encounters between government forces and the reds in the hinterlands of Barangay Victory, Las Navas, and Barangay Geparayan de Turag, Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar this week.
Reports indicate that troops from the 803rd Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army were conducting a hot pursuit operation when they first encountered an undetermined number of red members in Barangay Victory, Las Navas, on December 5.
This encounter led to the recovery of one cadaver, whose identity has yet to be determined, along with an M16 rifle.
A second encounter occurred in Barangay Geparayan de Turag, Silvino Lubos, on the same day and resulted in the death of another red member, whose identity is also still being verified.
“Blood trails at the encounter site suggest that additional CTG members may have been wounded,” the unit stated.
In an earlier operation on December 2, another unidentified body was discovered and later identified as Naldo Jarito, reportedly a member of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
Lt. Col. Marvin Maraggun, Commanding Officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion, acknowledged the support of local residents and the Barangay Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict for their cooperation in reporting sightings of armed individuals.
“Your vigilance and partnership are crucial in achieving lasting peace, security, and development in Northern Samar,” Lt. Col. Maraggun said.
He also expressed gratitude to the residents of Paco, Sag-od, L. Empon, Rufino, and Caputoan for their unwavering support in the success of recent military operations.
Meanwhile, Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, reiterated his call for remaining CTG members to surrender peacefully, warning that continued resistance will lead to further casualties.
“This is a clear message to the remaining members of the CTG that we are serious in our vow to achieve total victory against insurgency in Eastern Visayas,” Maj. Gen. Orio stated.
Maj. Gen. Orio also encouraged active CTG members to take advantage of the National Amnesty Program offered by the government.
They may coordinate with their relatives or local chief executives to arrange for their safe passage and formalize their application for amnesty.