The Visayas’ top military official yesterday vowed to continue efforts to end local communist armed conflict in the central Philippines as the New People’s Army (NPA) in the region has suffered a series of setbacks.
Lt. General Fernando Reyeg, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Visayas Command, said the recent blows suffered by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the NPA, “is a testament to our resolve to ensure the security and well-being of our people” in the three central regions.
Reyeg reported that five encounters between members of the 803rd Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm and NPA combatants occurred in Barangay Sulitan, Catubig town in Northern Samar on Tuesday, November 5, which led to the death of two rebels.
The first encounter broke out at about 6:57 a.m. as government troops responded to a report from a concerned resident on the presence of rebels conducting extortion activities.
This was followed by four more encounters from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. as the withdrawing NPA combatants engaged the government troops who were blocking the enemy’s route of withdrawal.
The five encounters in Northern Samar happened after soldiers in Aklan killed an NPA member in a clash in the island province’s Barangay Manika of Libacao town on October 31.
Authorities identified the NPA remnant who was killed during the encounter with the 12th Infantry Battalion under JTF Spear as Alvin Panoy, alias Vinmar/Bernie/Jake, reportedly a member of the Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) and Central Front of Komiteng Rehiyon (KR) – Panay.
Soldiers in Aklan recovered an M16 assault rifle, subversive documents, and personal belongings.
“The threat of the communist terrorist group may be persistent, but our commitment is equally relentless. We will sustain our efforts and continue to press forward until lasting peace and stability in the region are achieved,” Reyeg said in a statement.
He noted the significant development in the AFP’s security efforts that “reflects the strong desire of our people in Eastern Visayas to end the local communist armed conflict in the region.”
The courage and commitment to peace and active collaboration of the people in the Visayas have inspired the troops to remain committed to the shared goal of peace and stability in the central Philippine region, Reyeg added. (PNA)