THE Philippine Army, thru the concerted efforts of the men and women of the 8th Infantry ‘Stormtroopers’ Division, chalked “significant success” against the terrorism of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Eastern Visayas, a region considered where the group still retains a semblance of influence in the country.
In statement last December 21, 2024, summarizing its anti-terrorism in campaign for the year, the division said it recorded 93 armed encounters across the region that resulted to the death of 41 NPA members, recovery of 48 improvised anti-personnel mines, 75 firearms and the dismantling of some 143 terrorist camps.
Among the casualties are Ariel Baselga, secretary of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Emporium and Monmon ‘Beloy’ Diaz, vice commander, during an encounter in Las Navas, Northern Samar last December 2.
A follow-up encounter also in Las Navas two days later, on December 4, resulted the death of Genardo Adarayan, SRC Emporium finance officer.
Another high-value target, one alias ‘Ruby,’ secretary of SRC Sesame, decided to surrender to the 78th Infantry Battalion last November 29.
Other key CPP-NPA regional leaders such as Glen ‘Baste’ Acebuche, squad leader from the dismantled Front Committee 15, already surrendered as far back as March 29, incidentally, the founding date of the NPA, along with alias ‘Ara/Ronnie,’ squad leader of Apoy Platoon, SRC Sesame.
The statement also noted that alias ‘Geo’ and Joey ‘Towing’ Locindo, both squad leaders from the SRGU Laysan under SRC Arctic, also decided to surrender but the date was not mentioned in the report.
With the development, the Philippine Army said this led to the dismantling of the Apoy and Bugsok platoons under SRC Sesame of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
“(They) perpetrated numerous atrocities in the region, endangering the lives of innocent civilians. Their atrocities include the Libuton ambush in Borongan City on December 13, 2019 claiming the lives of a policeman, 3 civilians and the wounding of 12 other civilians including, 3 minors,” said division spokesperson, Major Jefferson Mariano.
A community support system, the mobile community support sustainment teams (MCSSTs) also resulted to the surrender of 85 NPA fighters and their supporters.
These government gains resulted to the communist terrorist group (CTG) unable to launch any ‘tactical offensive’ to celebrate the CPP’s founding last December 26.
Major General Adonis Ariel G. Orio, division commander and JTF Storm head, commended his troops for their “outstanding performance.”
“These successful operations highlight our unyielding commitment in preventing CTG atrocities and maintaining peace in the region,” the official said.
Leyte clash
Meanwhile, a brief firefight between soldiers from the 93rd IB and 9-man team of the NPA occurred last December 20 in Bgy. Canhandugan, Jaro, Leyte that resulted to the wounding of a soldier.
In a statement, Brigadier General Noel A. Vestuir, Commander, 802nd Infantry “Peerless” Brigade, said the soldiers were responding from information provided by local residents on the presence of unknown armed men in their community, prompting Lt. Colonel Charlie Saclot to deploy his men to verify the information.
The clash resulted to the recovery of one .45 caliber pistol, 3 IEDs, ammunition, other war materiel and personal belongings left behind by the terrorist group.