11 firearms seized in fresh Northern Samar clash

From the Philippine News Agency (May 10, 2023): 11 firearms seized in fresh Northern Samar clash (By Sarwell Meniano)

REBEL-INFESTED. A portion of upland Magsaysay village in Mapanas, Northern Samar near the clash site. At least 11 assorted firearms were seized when soldiers clashed with New People’s Army combatants on the outskirts of Magsaysay village in Mapanas, Northern Samar early Wednesday (May 10, 2023). (Photo courtesy of Narcie Longcop Laodenio)

TACLOBAN CITY – At least 11 assorted firearms were seized when soldiers clashed with combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA) on the outskirts of Magsaysay village in Mapanas, Northern Samar early Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, executive officer of the Philippine Army’s 803rd Brigade, said in a phone interview that troopers saw heavy bloodstains at the encounter site, indicating that there were wounded or killed on the enemy side.

“It’s been their practice to carry their dead and bury them somewhere else to conceal the truth about their loss,” Villaflor told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

A soldier of the 74th Infantry Battalion was slightly injured during the 20-minute armed encounter with fighters of NPA front committee 15 that occurred at 5 a.m.

“The recovery of firearms is a big loss to the NPA’s armed struggle in Northern Samar. They left firearms since wounded fighters could not carry those guns anymore,” Villaflor said.

Recovered from the clash site were two 7.62mm M14s, two 7.62mm AK47s, four 5.56mm M16 rifles, an UZI submachine gun machine pistol, two cal. .45 pistols, and two bandoliers.

The clash site is a mountainous area of Magsaysay village that can be reached through a two-hour hike, according to Villaflor.

Soldiers have been patrolling the forest of Mapanas town acting on reports from villagers about the NPA’s extortion activities.

Only two NPA guerilla fronts in Samar Island remain in existence after the dismantling of one front and the weakening of another during the first quarter of the year.

The rebel’s Front Committee 2, operating in the boundary of Samar and Northern Samar, has been demolished after the capture and surrender of some of their combatants and the recovery of firearms.

The NPA Front Committee 3, which operates near the boundaries of Northern and Eastern Samar, has also weakened after the series of operations conducted by government forces.

The military said although Front Committees 1 and 15 are still active, they are not in control of any village in Northern Samar.

The two remaining fronts are hiding in the upland villages of Catubig, Las Navas, Silvino Lobos, Palapag, Mapanas, and Gamay towns.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1201154