FOUR New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in Catubig town in Northern Samar on Wednesday, the military reported yesterday.
The Samar-based 8th Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army said soldiers were conducting focused military operations in Barangay Nagoocan when they clashed with about 30 insurgents.
The rebels are said to be members of the Regional Guerrilla Unit and Sub-Regional Committee Arctic, which are under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
“The clash erupted following reports from local residents about the presence of armed men allegedly conducting extortion activities in the area,” the 8th ID said in a statement.
The 8th ID said efforts are underway to establish the identities of the slain rebels.
Three high-powered firearms were recovered by the troops at the encounter site, the 8th ID also said.
A day earlier, two NPA rebels surrendered to the military in Barangay Roxas, also in Catubig town. They were identified as alias In-in, a vice squad leader; and alias Bug-ot.
The two revealed the location of two M14 rifles, one M16 rifle, one M653 rifle, three improvised hand grenades, ammunition, magazines, a bandolier, a pistol holster and medical paraphernalia. Government troops retrieved the war materiel later that day in Barangay Sulilan, also in Catubig.
“We in the government forces, as your frontliners, assure you that we will never falter in our mission. We will not rest until every terrorist who preys upon innocent Filipinos is brought to justice,” said 8th ID commander Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio.
He reiterated the military’s appeal to the remaining rebels to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
