TACLOBAN CITY – Two New People’s Army rebels were killed and an arms cache was seized in an encounter with the military in Barangay Santo Niño, Paranas, Samar, on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
TROOPS killed two communist rebels and seized an arms cache in an encounter in Paranas, Samar on Feb. 5.
Troops launched an operation after residents reported a group of armed men conducting extortion activities in the area.
The first clash erupted at around 5 a.m. when the 87th Infantry Battalion engaged members of the Yakal Platoon of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
The communist rebels fled but three hours later at around 8 a.m., troops from the 87th Infantry Battalion encountered them, triggering a three-minute gun battle where two guerillas were killed and an M16 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, two anti-personnel mines, a rifle grenade, assorted magazines, and ammunition were recovered.
Brig. Gen. Lenart Lelina, commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade, condoled with the families of the slain rebels.
He urged their comrades to surrender and embrace the government's reintegration programs for a more peaceful and progressive future.
Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio of the 8th Infantry Division attributed the success of the operation to the community's concern and eagerness to assist the government in eradicating the NPA in Samar.
"This is our strong response to the wishes of our people to be free from the continuous threats of the remaining terrorists. We will continue to scour every mountain of Eastern Visayas until we get rid of the last CTG member,” Orio said.