By Marie Tonette Grace Marticio
Borongan, Eastern Samar – Troops from 87th Infantry (Hinirang) Battalion were able to encounter about ten CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) hours before the President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday at Barangay Pinanag-an here.
(photo from Marie Tonette Grace Marticio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
This resulted to one wounded soldier identified as PFC Eric Alegria of the Bravo Company-87th IB who was hit on his right shoulder, while there were undetermined casualties on the enemy side.
Reports disclosed that the troops were conducting a security patrol in the hinterlands of Eastern Samar upon receiving information on the extortion activities of the armed group among civilians when the encounter ensued, which lasted for about fifteen minutes.
Recovered from the scene were: one M16 Elisco rifle with serial number: RP 101724; five civilian backpacks allegedly containing documents to be used for CNT’s Ideological Political Organizational (IPO) works; and one detonating cord.
8th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio lauded the troop’s utmost dedication in performing their mandated duty and urged them to be aggressive against the CNTs who continue to harass civilian communities.
“While our troops intensify internal security operations and community support programs in order to deliver the basic services of the government and to protect the people, the local terrorists CNTs continue their extortion activities and other criminal acts that instill fear and anxiety in the hearts and minds of peace-loving Filipinos,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, he urged the members of communist groups to lay down their arms and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government instead.
“You are fighting a bloody and senseless war only for your bosses abroad who are in safe areas and living in a very comfortable lifestyle,” the official ended.