Army pursues 50 NPA remnants hiding in Samar mountains

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): Army pursues 50 NPA remnants hiding in Samar mountains (By Sarwell Meniano)

READY FOR COMBAT. Soldiers undergo combat training in Hinabangan, Samar in this March 20, 2023 photo. The Philippine Army is pursuing about 50 remaining combatants of the New People’s Army in the mountains of Samar province, an official said on Tuesday (April 18, 2023). (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army is hunting down the estimated 50 remaining combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the mountains of Samar province, an official said on Tuesday.

Those engaged in armed struggle are remnants of the communist group after the dismantling of the last rebel guerilla front due to the deaths, capture, and surrender of their top leaders last year, Philippine Army 801st Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Lenart Lelina said in a phone interview.

“These NPA remnants are still fighting without organized supporters from local communities. Information from villagers about the sightings of armed men indicates that they are not welcome anymore,” he said.

The Philippine Army is eyeing to significantly neutralize the NPA remnants in Samar within the year.

Among the hinterland areas where the remaining rebels have been sighted are the towns of Pinabacdao, Calbiga, Basey, Marabut, San Jorge, and San Jose de Buan.

“We are hunting down the NPA remnants to stop their attempts to recover their previously influenced communities. It’s good that there is resistance from residents in remote areas,” Lelina added.

He disclosed the strength of the NPA days after the death of two of its members in an encounter in a remote village in Basey, Samar.

Responding to reports of sightings of armed men, the military had a clash with a small group of rebels in Mabini village in Basey, Samar on April 12,

Soldiers recovered one M16 rifle, two M653 rifles, three long and three short magazines for the M16 rifle, a bandolier, and a mobile phone.

Samar province has been cleared of NPA influence after the surrender of thousands of members of an organized group of supporters from 2020 to 2022.

The NPA launched its first tactical operation in the country in Calbiga, Samar in 1974, when its members ambushed an Army scout patrol and seized several weapons.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199636