Army clears 3 Samar towns of rebel influence

From the Journal Online (Oct 8): Army clears 3 Samar towns of rebel influence

THE local executives of three towns in the depressed province of Eastern Samar cited the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its successful effort in clearing their areas of the presence and influence of the communist New People’s Army. In a simple ceremony attended by local officials, the Philippine National Police and officers of the 8th Infantry Division under Maj. Gen. Gerardo T. Layug declared the municipalities of Taft, Maydolong and Balangkayan “insurgency-free” and are now considered as “development-ready areas.” ‘‘In recent years, some communities in these three municipalities had been frequented by the insurgents or NPAs during foraging and mass work activities which adversely affected the government’s development efforts,” said Maj. Gene Orense, spokesman of the 8th ID....

In Compostela Valley, Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo, chief of the 27th IB, condemned the guerrillas for their alleged continued recruitment of minors with the surrender last Wednesday of a 16-year-old NPA fighter to his unit. The minor, who was reportedly recruited by the NPA only last July 2 and only known by his alias “Jay,” voluntary presented himself to the elements of the Peace and Development Team (PDT) operating in the area....

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/39331-army-clears-3-samar-towns-of-rebel-influence