Two alleged New People’s Army (NPA) fighters died in an armed encounter with the military in Catubig, Northern Samar on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Elements of the Philippine Army’s (PA) 803rd Infantry Brigade and suspected members of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) exchanged gunfire in the hinterlands of Barangay Sulitan, according to the 8th Infantry Division (8ID).
“The firefight erupted when troops responded to reports from civilians about Communist-NPA terrorists extorting and intimidating farmers in the area. The clash lasted several minutes before the insurgents retreated, leaving behind two unidentified bodies,” said Brig. Gen. Perfecto Peñaredondo, 8ID commander.
The military has yet to identify the fatalities.
Meanwhile, Peñaredondo reiterated the military’s commitment to maintaining peace and order in Northern Samar.
“The government forces will never cease in the fight to completely eradicate the insurgents in the region,” he said.
Pursuit operations are being conducted by the military against the NPA members who fled.