2 soldiers hurt in clash with rebels in Northern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (May 17, 2022): 2 soldiers hurt in clash with rebels in Northern Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

The map of Mapanas, Northern Samar. (Google image)

At least two soldiers were wounded when they clashed with members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Mapanas, Northern Samar on Monday.

Capt. Jay-ar Cuevas, operations officer of the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade said there was “strong resistance” from 10 members of the communist terrorist group during the 20-minute gun battle in upland Siljagon village in Mapanas town.

“We are still gathering information from the community on the number of casualties or wounded from the enemy side. We are thankful for the locals who informed us about their presence. These NPA members had been frequently monitored terrorizing and extorting the people of Mapanas, Palapag and Gamay towns in Northern Samar,” Cuevas told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview Tuesday.

The clash happened past 6 a.m. on Monday. The encounter site is only a kilometer away from the community. The official declined to name the injured soldiers.

“The challenge is these rebels blend with the community. In response, we have deployed our Community Support Program team to raise awareness on the deception of NPA and facilitate development in these areas,” Cuevas added.

In a statement sent to reporters on Tuesday, the military said the terrorist group encountered by the government forces is part of the Front Committee 15 of Sub-Regional Committee “Arctic” of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee led by alias Tara.

“The terrorist group also wanted to show the populace that they are still a force to reckon with after having lost their mass base support among the locals,” the statement added.

Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo, commander of the Army’s 803rd Brigade thanked locals for being supportive of the anti-insurgency drive by providing information that led to the encounter with the terrorist group.

He also encouraged the members of the NPA to lay down their arms and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and the Northern Samar Local Social Integration Program in order to attain inclusive peace and sustainable development in Northern Samar.

Northern Samar is considered a hotbed of the communist terrorist group due to its thick forest and poor road networks.

The high incidence of poverty makes people in upland communities vulnerable to the persuasion of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

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

The Anti-Terrorism Council was also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1174620