Government troops scores vs NPA in Samar

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 18): Government troops scores vs NPA in Samar

Despite of these trying and challenging times and people of the Eastern Visayas are reeling from the devastating effects of Super Typhoon Yolanda, it is unfortunate and sad to note that New People’s Army (NPA) have not stop intimidating and extorting money and food from the people.

Lt. Col. Antonio B. Dulnuan Jr,  Commanding Officer of 87IB made the statement as he reported on the recent encounter that happened in his area.

“We have been receiving complaints from folks living in Barangay Bay-ang and the adjacent barangays  in San Jorge town that the NPAs were extorting money and foods intended for their families’ expenses and consumption,” said Dulnuan.

Troops under 87th Infantry Battalion (IB) encountered ten New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in Samar on December 13, 2013 at Brgy. Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar.

In this connection, 87IB was tasked to conduct pursuit operations and encountered another band of NPA rebels at Barangay Sto Niño, Motiong Samar on December 14, 2013 and recovered one Armalite rifle.

8 Infantry Division Public Affairs Official Chief Amado Gutierrez said that government troops scored against NPA during the two encounters that left and killed one rebel and recovered two firearms.

Based on the report of 87IB, the troops were tracking the NPAs at Barangay Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar on December 13 when they received a report from a concerned civilian that the NPAs were hiding at Barangay Sto. Niño, six kilometers away.

The troops immediately proceeded to Brgy. Sto Niño and were engaged by the insurgents when they got near the location. A five minute firefight ensued until the NPAs withdrew, leaving behind one Armalite rifle and traces of blood indicating casualties on their side. There was no casualty on the part of the government soldiers.

On the same day, two NPAs surrendered with firearms on two separate occasions. At around 2:00 AM, Roberto F. Abunaler aka “Edgar”, NPA member operating in Eastern Samar surrendered to 14th Infantry Battalion bringing along with him one Garand Rifle.

Likewise, at around 9:00 PM, Jeffrey Pajarito Delfin, aka “Jason/Hapon”, NPA member operating in Samar voluntarily surrendered to 20th Infantry Battalion bringing along his caliber 357.

 The NPAs that 87IB troops encountered at Brgy. Sto Niño, Motiong, Samar on December 14, 2013 were the same group of NPA that they encountered at Brgy. Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar last December 13, 2013 where one NPA was killed (body count) and troops recovered one caliber 45 pistol. Pursuit operation is still ongoing.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1141387348650