TACLOBAN CITY – At least seven suspected members of the New People’s Army were reportedly killed during a clash with the government forces in the hinterlands of Barangay Santander, Bobon, Northern Samar on Sunday, April 30.
Reports disclosed that troops belonging to the 803rd Brigade of the Philippine Army encountered more or less 40 armed rebels who belonged to the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit (SRGU) and remnants of the dismantled Front Committee-2 (FC-2), Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Emporium, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
The group was said to be led by Mario Sevillano, alias “Durok,” a notorious Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) leader who allegedly perpetrated numerous atrocities in Northern Samar.
One of these atrocities was the attack on two unarmed CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) in San Isidro, Northern Samar in August 2021.
Multiple warrants of arrest for murder and attempted murder were also filed against the members of the group.
The Joint Focused Military Operation was conducted following the information given by concerned civilians who saw a group of armed men passing through the outskirts of the village.
As the terrorists' hideout was presumably heavily fortified and surrounded by anti-personnel mines (APMs), the responding troops had to call first for close air and artillery support.
After the 30-minute gunfight, the government troops seized an R4 rifle, two M16 rifles, an AK47 rifle, an anti-personnel mine, and subversive documents.
As of posting time, troopers were still doing a clearing operation along the routes. Government soldiers saw heavy bloodstains along the rebels’ route of withdrawal, indicating that the CNTs suffered heavy casualties.
JTF Storm and 8th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo attributed the success of the operation through the recent efforts to clear the barangays which hindered the CNTs' logistical and operational support.
"We urge the remaining members of the CNTs to lay down their arms and go home to their families, the government is willing and eager to help you to start a normal life,” said Ligayo.