TACLOBAN CITY – Four New People’s Army rebels were killed in an encounter with government troops on June 3 in Barangay Nagoocan, Catubig, Northern Samar.
Approximately 30 communist rebels from the Regional Guerrilla Unit and Sub-Regional Committee Arctic under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) engaged soldiers during a focused military operation as a result of reports from
residents about the presence of armed men conducting extortion activities in the area.
Authorities have yet to identify the slain rebels. They are coordinating with local officials to notify their families.
On June 2, a day before the firefight, the 20th Infantry Battalion discovered a cache of firearms and explosives in Barangay Roxas, Catubig.
The arms cache was recovered through the revelation of former rebels, In-In, vice squad leader of Squad 1, Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee Arctic, and alias Bug-ot of the Regional Guerrilla Unit, EVRPC.
It was composed of two M14 rifles, one M16 rifle, an M653 rifle, three improvised hand grenades, ammunition, magazines, a bandolier, a pistol holster, and medical paraphernalia.
These weapons were believed to have been stashed after an encounter in Barangay Sulitan, Catubig, on Nov. 5, 2024.
Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, praised the joint efforts of the government and its partners in addressing the root causes of insurgency and promoting peace in the region.
“When individuals who once fought against us now stand with us, it changes the narrative about our organization and our mission,” Orio said.
Orio assured that the casualties will receive proper burial which will be arranged with the local government of Catubig.