Army lauds N. Samar villagers for backing fight vs. NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30, 2022): Army lauds N. Samar villagers for backing fight vs. NPA (By Sarwell Meniano)

ANTI-NPA. Residents in Las Navas, Northern Samar join a demonstration condemning the atrocities of the New People's Army in the province in this May 20, 2022 photo. The support of villagers in Northern Samar in the fight against the NPA has contributed largely to the government’s bid to end the armed struggle, a military official said on Monday (May 30). (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

The support of villagers in Northern Samar in the fight against the New People’s Army (NPA) has contributed largely to the government’s bid to end the communist armed struggle.

Lt. Col. Joemar Buban, commander of the Philippine Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, said former NPA allies in the community have been sharing valuable information that led to the discovery of NPA lairs and recovery of rebels’ firearms. They also convinced some NPA members to surrender.

“Their show of support to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) is a manifestation of their rejection to the atrocities of the communist terrorist group in their areas,” Buban said in a phone interview on Monday.

Clashes happen in some parts of Northern Samar as soldiers respond to information from villagers about the presence of armed men.

“Because their organization have been weak, the NPA resorts to use of banned explosives since they have no capability to face soldiers in an armed encounter. You will notice that recent encounters only last for few minutes since NPA fighters are outnumbered,” he added.

Buban said validation is ongoing to declare some 81 remote villages in Northern Samar as cleared from infiltration of the NPA.

These far-flung villages are in the towns of Las Navas, Catubig, Mapanas, Gamay, Lapinig, Palapag, and Laoang.

“Cleared means that all supporters in a village have already surrendered. Sightings are still expected since they will attempt to return, but we have soldiers and trained Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit in the area to neutralize them,” he said.

Citing accounts of former rebels who recently surrendered, Buban said there are only 30 active NPA fighters roaming around in these seven Northern Samar towns.

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

The NPA organization has been attempting to control some remote areas in Northern Samar since it is one of their fund sources for their armed struggle, according to Buban.

The high incidence of poverty in Northern Samar makes people in upland communities vulnerable to the persuasion of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-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 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/1175457