Kalinaw News: Army Clash Against Communist Rebels, Recovers Numerous Firearms

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 5, 2021): Army Clash Against Communist Rebels, Recovers Numerous Firearms

BORONGAN CITY, Province of Eastern Samar – Troops of 78IB engaged in an exchange of fire with an undetermined number of NPA rebels while conducting a security patrol at Brgy. San Andres (Upper), Borongan City, Eastern Samar on May 03, 2021, 02:20 pm (Monday).

The firefight lasted for 25 minutes and eventually led to the dispersal of the group of NPA. The fleeing NPA left behind Four (4) M16 Rifle, One (1) M653 Rifle, One (1) AK47, subversive documents with high intelligence value, and numerous personal belongings. There were no casualties on the government side. On the other hand, bloodstains were seen in the rebel’s escape routes.

The armed engagement was due to the report of a concerned civilian regarding the presence of armed rebels in the vicinity of the barangay who were trying to extort food and intimidate the civilian communities.

Lieutenant Colonel Oliver C Alvior, Commanding Officer of 78th Infantry (Warrior) Battalion Commanding Officer, expressed his gratitude to the civilian population who provided vital information for the success of the mission. “To the NPA out there: don’t waste your life in an ideology that has long been abandoned, so return to folds of the law, avail the different benefits of the government in E-CLIP, and stop harassing peace-loving and hardworking Filipinos,” Lieutenant Colonel Oliver C Alvior said. “Surrender now before it’s too late because your family and nation are patiently waiting for your return in the folds of society.”

It may be recalled that a Barangayan Activity was conducted in Barangay San Andres (Lower) last March 25 that provided basic services to the populace. This activity is but one of the many testaments to the pursuit of the government in fulfilling its mandate to the people. While the local populace and the government work hand in hand for the peace and development of the community, the NPA’s are stalling development and attempting to maliciously obtain the sympathy of the locals through acts of force, intimidation, and fraud. The epitome of the NPA’s appalling is their acts of extorting food and other basic resources from already needy Filipinos to fuel their terroristic goals.

Notably, the active participation of the local populace is vital in the government’s campaign in ending local communist armed conflict. From the provision of timely and accurate information regarding the presence of the NPA in the community to the extension of services directly to the community, one truism is clear: a better future lies in the hands of an active and responsible populace.





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