AFP-Visayas Command relentless in its anti-insurgency campaign

CAMP LAPULAPU, Cebu City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Visayas Command remains steadfast and relentless in its commitment to protect and secure the communities from the nefarious acts of the Communist NPA Terrorist that hinder peace and development in the region.

A combined troops under the 803rd Infantry Brigade of Joint Task Force Storm encountered 40 CPP-NPA terrorists under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) at Brgy Imelda, Las Navas, Northern Samar, the same terrorist group responsible for the Dorillo village attack in the adjacent town of Jipapad, Eastern Samar that resulted to the wounding of a 10-year old civilian and two soldiers, destruction of civilian properties, and the killing of another two  soldiers who were securing and monitoring the implementation of government projects in the area.

The firefight lasted for an hour and resulted to the death of six (6) NPA terrorists and the recovery of 18 firearms comprised of one Cal. 60 machine gun; 10 M16 rifles; one M4 assault rifle; one AK 47 rifle; one M14 rifle; two Bushmaster assault rifles, two M653 and several personal belongings and war materials were also recovered after the encounter.

Series of losses

On November 21, troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion while conducting a focused military operation at Brgy Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental encountered five communist NPA terrorists under Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR NCBS).

The firefight lasted for about five minutes which resulted to the death of one NPA terrorist and the recovery of one M16 rifle; four magazines with 43 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition.

On November 20, troops of the 46th Infantry Battalion while conducting a focused military operation at Brgy Sinalangtan, Calbiga, Samar discovered an arms cache containing four M14 rifles; six M16 rifles; four AK47 rifles; one M79 grenade launcher; one shotgun; one KG9; one Cal. .38 pistol and 14 AK47 magazine assemblies.

This is the result of an information provided by a former rebel who surrendered to the said troops a day earlier, carrying along with him one Cal. .45 pistol.

On November 19, troops of the 47th Infantry Battalion also seized an arms cache of the communist NPA terrorist at Brgy Gatusiao, Candoni, Negros Occidental. The arms cache contains 16 Cal .38 pistols; one (1) Cal .22 pistol; three (3) homemade shotguns; 11 barrels of homemade shotguns; several ammunition; three magazines; four cellphones and other war materials.

The government troops seized 38 assorted firearms with one NPA terrorist neutralized by the in three days. These are apart from the previous report of the Visayas Command (VISCOM) where two NPA terrorists were neutralized; three NPA terrorists were apprehended, two M16 rifles were seized with several war materials. (Photos: Visayas Command)