7 NPA members killed in Northern Samar

From Malaya Business Insight (May 1, 2023): 7 NPA members killed in Northern Samar (By Victor Reyes)

SEVEN New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed when the military assaulted an NPA hideout in Bobon town in Northern Samar yesterday morning, the military reported.

Capt. Jefferson Mariano, spokesman of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the NPA hideout was fortified, forcing troops to call for air and artillery support.

Mariano said soldiers from the Army’s 803rd Brigade conducted the operation after residents reported the presence of the rebels in their area.

He said soldiers launched an operation to track the rebels, leading to the discovery of the NPA hideout in Barangay Santander in Bobon and a subsequent firefight with about 40 rebels.

Mariano said the rebels are members of the NPA’s Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit and remnants of the dismantled NPA Front Committee 2 of the Sub-Regional Committee Emporium.

Mariano said the NPA lair was “heavily fortified and surrounded by prohibited anti-personnel mines,” prompting the troops to call for close air and artillery support.

After the 30-minute clash, troops recovered at the scene the bodies of seven still unidentified rebels, an R4 rifle, two M16 rifles, an AK47 rifle, an anti-personnel mine, and rebel documents.

Mariano said “heavy bloodstain” was seen at the withdrawal route of the fleeing rebels, indicating the NPAs suffered more casualties during the firefight.

Mariano said the encountered NPA unit is behind numerous atrocities in Northern Samar, including ambuscades, extortions, and killings over the past years.

Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, 8th ID commander, urged the rebels in the province to surrender and live a new life with their families.

“We urge the remaining members of the CNTs (CPP-NPA Terrorists) to lay down their arms and go home to their families, the government is willing and eager to help you to start a normal life,” said Ligayo.

Another NPA rebel also died and another was captured in a firefight with Army soldiers in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental last Friday.

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division named the slain rebel as Anthony Curson, alias Miguel, while the captured was identified as Leonido Montero, who carries the aliases Lanie and Dindo.

3rd ID spokesman Lt. Col. Vicel Jan Garsuta said Curson and Montero are members of the NPA’s Central Negros 1.

Garsuta said troops from the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion were deployed to Sitio Malatanglad, Barangay Budsalan in Canlaon City after the military received information about rebel presence in their community.

During a combat operation last Friday, Garsuta said soldiers encountered five NPA rebels.
Apart from the death of the Curson and the capture of Montero, Garsuta said the five-minute firefight led to the seizure of two cal. 45 pistols with magazines and sling bags.

Garsuta said Montero has a standing arrest warrant for murder and other crimes.

https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/7-npa-members-killed-in-northern-samar/