TACLOBAN CITY — A suspected member of the New People’s Army was killed today, Sunday, June 15, in an encounter in the hinterlands of Sitio Bagong Bario, Barangay Pinanag-an, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
The casualty was identified as Joemar Discar, alias Guimo and Bobby.
The encounter occurred amid focused military operations initiated by the 63rd Infantry “Innovator” Battalion in response to reports from concerned residents on the presence of armed individuals lurking around the area demanding food.
Soldiers engaged members of the Sub-Regional Committee Sesame, EVRPC.
Discar's remains were abandoned by his fleeing comrades.
Troops seized several war materials -- one M653 rifle, five short magazines, a bandolier, three backpacks, and subversive documents.
Brig. Gen. Noel A. Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, reiterated his call to remaining members of the SRC Sesame to abandon them or suffer the same fate as their comrades.
“We were serious when we issued the ultimatum for them to abandon the armed struggle and we are just getting started. Expect us to be relentless in our combat operations in the following days.”
“Hahalughugin namin ang kagubatan sa Eastern Samar para tugisin kayo. Enough is enough, The people in our community have suffered long from your abuse and deception. Kaya ngayon palang sumuko na kayo habang may oras pa,” Vestuir said.
Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander, 8th Infantry Division, regarded the operation as a result of intensified community collaboration.
“The people are no longer silent about the CTG’s extortions and we in the Philippine Army are actively listening and taking action, Orio said.