Military, NPA encounter in EVisayas

From Tempo (Mar 30): Military, NPA encounter in EVisayas 

Philippines - Clashes between government forces and New People's Army (NPA) continued even on Holy Week, with the military recording three engagements in Eastern Visayas.

Capt. Gene Orense, the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) spokesman, said the encounters took place Holy Monday and Tuesday in Leyte and Samar provinces.

The first encounter took place around 3:00 p.m. Monday in Barangay Liberty, Ormoc City, Leyte. Troops from 19th Infantry Battalion under 2Lt. Amin Macalintangui was conducting security patrol when they engaged a group of NPA rebels in an exchange of fire.

The second encounter took place on March 26 at 1:00 p.m. at Brgy Ga-as, Ormoc City according to Captain Dranreb F Canto, CivilMilitary Operations Officer of the Army's 802nd Brigade.

On that same day in Barangay Sto. Niño, Paranas, Samar, soldiers from the 87th Infantry Battalion under 1Lt. John Rey Acasio also encountered a group of insurgents.

One NPA member was killed while the government troops recovered one caliber .38 revolver, hammock, and subversive documents.

The third incident took place in Barangay Ga-as, Ormoc City, Leyte, where elements of the 19th Infantry Battalion were conducting routine security patrols around 1:00 p.m. of March 26.

“The 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army assures the public that we will sustain our security operations in the region so that the catholic populace can observe a peaceful celebration of the Holy Week,“ said Maj. Gen. Gerardo T. Layug, the 8ID commander.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2013/03/military-npa-encounter-in-evisayas/