25 NPA killed in clash with government

From the Manila Standard (Aug 16, 2021): 25 NPA killed in clash with government (By Ronald Reyes and Francisco Tuyay)

At least 25 suspected members of the New People’s Army were reported slain following a military airstrike in the hinterland barangay of Osmeña, Dolores, Eastern Samar Monday, initial military reports said.

Authorities said an operating unit from the Philippine Army’s 52nd Infantry Battalion, eventually aided by the Philippine Air Force, encountered several communist rebels at the barangay around 4 a.m. Monday, resulting in a firefight.

“Our troops acted on information received from the community identifying the terrorists’ hideout where they manufacture their explosives,” the Philippine Army said in a statement.

As of press time, the military has yet to disclose the full details on the exact number of dead rebels due to “operational security matters.”

“We will be sure to release an update once our troops complete the operations,” said the Army while lauding the “commitment of our troops for their outstanding resolve in our mission to protect the people from the threats of the communist terrorists.”

Sketchy reports said at least 16 bodies were already retrieved from the area.

No one was hurt from the government side.

Army troopers also recovered from the enemy 20 long firearms, laptop, and a caliber .45 pistol.

In a radio interview, Major General Pio Dinoso, Commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the running gun fight started at about 4 a.m. Monday.

At sundown, AFP Spokesperson Col. Ramon Zagala said the NPA suffered initial deaths of at least 16 fighters.

Dinoso said the area where the NPAs were spotted was a hideout used as a bomb-making area. The bombs being produced in the said area were anti-personnel mines.

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