Friday, March 6, 2020

NPA leader in Northern Samar killed in shootout

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 7, 2020): NPA leader in Northern Samar killed in shootout (By Gerico Sabalza)



SLAIN. The cadaver of Salvador Nordan alias Badok or Gahi, identified as the leader of the Sub-Regional Operation Command emporium of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army in Northern Samar. Nordan was killed during a joint operation of the police and the military in Guba village in Catarman, Northern Samar on Friday morning (March 6, 2020). (Photo courtesy of the Army's 803rd Infantry Brigade)

A communist New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed during a joint police and military operation in Guba village in Catarman, Northern Samar on Friday morning.

The slain was Salvador Nordan, alias Badok or Gahi, identified as the leader of the Sub-Regional Operation Command emporium.

A report released on Saturday morning said the 803rd Infantry Brigade (803 IBde) and the Northern Samar Provincial Police were confirming information from residents on the presence of an armed group conducting extortion in the area.

Responding troopers chanced upon the group and a firefight erupted, resulting in the killing of the NPA leader.


Taken from his possession were a caliber 45 pistol, ammunition, and subversive documents with high intelligence value containing the names of individuals providing support to the terrorist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - NPA.

Nordan was facing a string of criminal charges, mostly murder and robbery cases, in Northern Samar.

“We are thankful for the trust and confidence of the communities for the information to locate the NPA group. This only shows that they were already tired of the terroristic activities these NPA (rebels) have caused, not only to the military but also to the helpless civilians,” said Col. Zosimo Oliveros, 803 IBde commander.

Oliveros said the incident could have been avoided if only these rebels heeded the call of the government to return to the fold of the law.

“Your Army here in Northern Samar will not rest until (these) terrorist(s) realized the futility of their false revolution that has been dragging the economic progress of the province,” he said, adding that what happened was a reminder that the law would reach them, no matter where they are hiding.

Maj. Gen. Pio Diñoso, 8th Infantry Division Commander, said this is the result of the joint effort of the security forces, the local government, and the community to end the terroristic and extortion activities of NPA terrorists.

Diñoso said the people have expressed frustration over the CPP-NPA, denouncing them as persona non grata and creating the village task force to end the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC).

“I still encourage the remaining NPA members to abandon their armed struggle, lay down their arms, and return to the mainstream society in the comfort of their families and friends,” he said.

The remains of the NPA leader were turned over to the local government of Catarman for proper burial and assistance.

The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095846

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