Government troops, NPA clash anew in Northern Samar

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 12): Government troops, NPA clash anew in Northern Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Troops of 34thInfantry Battalion under Lt Col Rodrigo Ilustrisimo clashed with New People’s Army on October 3, 2013 at Sitio Canunghan, Brgy. Osme?a, Palapag, Northern Samar.

This was learned from Cpt. Amado C. Gutierrez, Chief, Division Public Affairs Office, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army, Camp General Vicente, Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar.

According to the report, concerned civilians informed the troops of the presence of about 10 armed NPAs who were planning to stage an ambush against the government forces conducting Bayanihan Team activities in the said area.

The troops immediately acted on the info which resulted to a firefight with the NPA insurgents. No casualty was reported on the government side.

BGen Jet B. Velarmino AFP, Commander of 8th Infantry Division in his message said, “The proactive and prompt action of your soldiers in Sitio Canunghan, Brgy Osme?a, Palapag, Northern Samar is the product of their commitment and resolve to protect peace-loving people and communities against the NPAs and other threat groups.

In Northern Samar, Bayanihan activities through Bayanihan teams in cooperation with other stakeholders such as LGUs, NGA, NGO and POs cover implementation of government projects and services and identifying fitting structures and socio economic projects in conflict affected barangays.

According to the Philippine Army, the Bayanihan teams played a vital role in facilitating the surrender of NPAs and militia, reducing the manpower of the Northern Samar Provincial Party Committee. The mere presence of the troops prevents CNN from the recruitment activities in the barangays.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1261381463872