1 month ago
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TWO communist terrorist group (CTG) members who evaded pursuing troops following their clash were eventually subdued and killed in the hinterland of Paranas, Samar on Wednesday.
The CTG group that figured in a clash with the members belonging to the Philippine Army's 87th Infantry Battalion (87IB) in the upland community in Barangay Sto. Niño in Paranas, Samar left assorted war materiel, according to Capt. Jefferson Mariano, chief public affairs of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID).
Mariano said the encounter broke out after a focused military operation was conducted following an information provided by concerned civilians that a group of armed men were seen conducting extortion activities in said barangay.
The initial clash occurred around 5 in the morning when troops from the 33rd Special Forces Company and from the 87IB encountered an undetermined number of CTGs believed to be members of Yakal Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee Browser of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) in the hinterlands of Barangay Sto. Niño, Paranas, Samar.
Subsequently at 8 a.m. on the same day, other troops from 87IB encountered the same CTGs attempting to evade government forces.
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Minutes later, the blocking forces of 87IB chanced upon the evading CTGs. The firefight lasted for three minutes that resulted in the death of two unidentified CTG members and the seizure of one M16 rifle, one caliber 45 pistol, two International Humanitarian Law (IHL) banned anti-personnel mines, one rifle grenade, assorted magazines, ammunition and other war materiel.
Brig. Gen. Lenart Lelina, commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade, extended his sympathies to the slain rebel's family, admitting that that the loss of life is always tragic and reiterating the military's commitment to peace and reconciliation.
He urged the remaining terrorists to consider laying down their arms and embrace the government's reintegration programs to build a more peaceful and progressive future.
Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, 8ID commander, said that the success of the operation was made possible because of the concern and eagerness of the people to help the government eradicate CTG rebels in Samar.
"This is our strong response to the wishes of our people to be free from the continuous threats of the remaining terrorists. We will continue to scour every mountain of Eastern Visayas until we get rid of the last CTG member," Orio said.
He said that despite the aggressive operations against the CTGs, government troops are still willing to help those who wanted to surrender and live a new and peaceful life with their families.
