SIX New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a firefight with government troops in Las Navas, Northern Samar last Monday morning.
Troops from the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion conducted a focused military operation in the hinterlands of Barangay Paco based on information provided by a “concerned civilian.”
Capt. Jefferson Mariano, spokesman of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said artillery rounds were fired at the enemy’s “heavily fortified” lair.
Troops later clashed with the insurgents belonging to the NPA’s Sub-Regional Committee Emporium, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee under Ariel Baselga.
During the clearing operation, soldiers recovered the bodies of six rebels, seven high-powered and low-powered firearms, and assorted personal belongings of the rebels.
Mariano said the encountered rebels are behind numerous atrocities in the province, including the killing of soldiers and civilians, extortion, and harassment.
Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, 8th ID commander, said some of the encountered rebels have standing arrest warrants for murder and attempted murder.
“We have brought the full force of the law upon them and delivered justice to their victims,” said Orio.
Orio said the successful operation was an “initial step toward developing a peaceful and threat-free local election.”
Orio disclosed that the NPA has been demanding permits to campaign fees from some candidates amid the coming national and local elections in May.
He urged the candidate “not to give in to the demands of the CTGs and not to be afraid.”
“We will support you, and together we will ensure a peaceful, fair, and honest election,” said Orio.
