TACLOBAN CITY (PNA) – A New People's Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a clash with soldiers in Catubig, Northern Samar, on Thursday, September 14.
The unidentified communist guerrilla belonged to a band of 10 insurgents that the Philippine Army 20th Infantry Battalion engaged in a 10-minute gun battle in upland Barangay Anongo.
Lt. Col. Joemar Buban, Army 20th IB commander, said soldiers were deployed to carry out mobile community support and sustainment program operations in the barangay when they encountered remnants of the Front Committee-15, Sub-regional Committee, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
"They were known for their involvement in intimidating, making grave threats, and extorting from the local populace and small businesses in Northern Samar communities," Buban said in a statement.
After the clash, the rebels retreated, leaving behind their slain comrade and war materiels such as four backpacks, two hammocks, one 30-round magazine assembly, an M203 empty shell, ammunition, slippers, a cauldron, a water container, a pair of rainboots, and subversive documents.
There are about 10 Army battalions assigned in Samar as the government heightened its fight against communist insurgents.
Only two NPA guerilla fronts in Samar Island remain in existence after the dismantling of one front and the weakening of another early this year.