NPA fighter captured in Northern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1, 2024): NPA fighter captured in Northern Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

CAPTURED. A member of the New People’s Army captured after an encounter in the upland village of San Isidro, Northern Samar. The military attributed the success of the operation to the information provided by the residents in the area. (Philippine Army photo)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army captured a combatant of the New People’s Army (NPA) after an encounter in the upland village in San Isidro, Northern Samar on Wednesday.

The rebel, identified as alias Doming, is a member of squad 1 of sub-regional guerilla unit, sub-regional committee Emporium of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee. He has a standing warrant of arrest for the crime of murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 20 on Oct. 10, 2015.

Lt. Col. Nasser Arojo, commander of the Army’s 43rd Infantry Battalion (IB), said Thursday the troops were conducting an operation in the village when they were fired upon by a group of armed men.

A short firefight ensued until the armed men retreated, leaving their colleague behind. An M16 rifle and a short magazine were later seized.

Arojo attributed the success of the operation to the timely and relevant information provided by the residents.

"This is a clear indication that the community appreciates the efforts of the government and has decided to support the fight to end the local communist armed conflict," Arojo said in a statement.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218057