TACLOBAN CITY – A member of the New People’s Army was killed and two others were captured during an encounter on Saturday in Barangay Concepcion, Paranas, Samar.
Troops from the 46th Infantry (Peacemakers) Battalion were ambushed by remnants of the Special Operations Group (SOG), Yakal Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Browser, and Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), resulting in an intense firefight.
The NPA withdrew and troops recovered the body of Gerry dela Cruz, alias Justin, and captured Aye, a political guide from SRC Browser, and Tintin, a member of the Regional Security Force (RSF) EVRPC.
Recovered in the encounter site were three 5.56mm M16 rifles, two .45 caliber pistols, three backpacks, three bandoliers, subversive documents, and other war materiel.
Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, lauded troops for their vigilance and dedication.
“These successful engagements are proof that our relentless pursuit operations are effectively dismantling the armed capability of the CTGs. We will continue to hunt down these remnants until they can no longer threaten the peace and progress of Samar in general,” Orio said.