Phil. Army said it has identified dead ‘CNTs’ in Samar clash

THE 8^TH Infantry ‘Stormtroopers’ Division of the Philippine Army in charge of internal security operations in Samar and adjacent areas said it has finally identified two of the three communist terrorists (members of the New People’s Army) who were killed during an encounter in Northern Samar last March 16.

Major Jefferson Soriano, chief of the division’s public affairs office (DPAO), said those killed were Ronnie Pajares alias ‘Badora/Totoy,’ from Eastern Samar and, Edmon Oros alias ‘Dalisay’ from Brgy. Can Maria, Lapinig, Northern Samar.

Both are members of Team 2, Squad 1, remnants of Front Committee 15, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Arctic, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

The identity of the third CNT who was also killed in the same encounter remains unknown and still on process of thorough identification, he added.

The remains of the said CNTs have been brought to the Gamay Northern Samar Funeral Home, waiting to be retrieved by their respective families.

On March 16, the Philippine Army recorded five encounters between members of the elite ‘Scout Rangers’ and the NPA remnants of the EVRPC in the vicinity of Barangay San Jose, Mapanas, Northern Samar.

Quoting from field reports, Major Soriano said the initial clash occurred around 6 a.m. when troops from the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion encountered an undetermined number of CTGs believed to be members of the Regional Guerrilla Unit (RGU) of the EVRPC.

The encounter resulted in the recovery of one unidentified cadaver and the seizure of one M14 rifle, one International Humanitarian Law (IHL)-banned anti-personnel mine, two blasting caps, and other personal belongings.

Minutes later, the 4SRBn engaged the same CNTs attempting to evade government forces. The encounter led to the recovery of another unidentified cadaver, one M16 rifle, and assorted ammunition.

Hours after the second encounter, the blocking forces of the 4SRBn encountered the fleeing CTGs that resulted to another firefight lasting for some 10 minutes that resulted to the recovery of two backpacks.

Past 10 a.m., Major Soriano said, another team from the 4SRBn encountered the fleeing CNTs, resulting to the death of another NPA and the seizure of one M14 rifle, ammunition, and other war materiel.

In a statement, Brigadier General Efren Morados, commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade, extended his sympathies to the slain rebels’ families, emphasizing that the loss of life is always tragic and reiterating the military’s commitment to peace and reconciliation.

“Our mission is to promote peace and encourage the CNTs to recognize the significant improvements in the government’s programs. If they view these programs positively and take advantage of them to improve their lives, collaboration would be truly meaningful and beneficial for everyone,” the official said.

For his part, 8ID Commander Major General Adonis Ariel Orio said the success of the operation was made possible because of the concern and eagerness of the people to help the government eradicate the CTG menace in Samar.

“The Philippine Army has repeatedly called on and appealed to the remaining members of the CTGs to surrender. However, due to their continued violations and threats to our community, we cannot allow the entire region to suffer.

Instead, we remain firm in our commitment to protecting the people of Eastern Visayas. We will continue to scour every mountain of the region until we get rid of the last CTG member,” MGen. Orio emphasized.