By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division delivered major gains against the New People’s Army in Samar Island from May to June this year after the death as well as surrender of several rebels, and seizure of assorted firearms.
In a report Wednesday, the Philippine Army said alias Jud/Atom/Iso and Nadin/Brix/Adrian, members of the Sub-Regional Committee Sesame, voluntarily surrendered to the troops of the 63rd Infantry Battalion in Basey, Samar on May 26. They also turned over an M4 A1 Carbine and M16 rifle.
On the other hand, the first encounter occurred on May 29 in San Jose de Buan, Samar, where an unidentified communist terrorist was killed, it said.
On June 2, 2025, a rebel leader identified as alias In-In, vice squad leader of squad 1, sub-regional guerrilla unit, sub-regional committee Arctic operating in Northern Samar province, surrendered to the troops of the 20th Infantry Battalion. This led to the discovery and seizure of a hidden arms cache containing two M14 rifles, one M16 rifle, one M653 rifle, three improvised hand grenades, and other medical paraphernalia.
During the same day, another rebel, identified as alias Bug-ot of the regional guerrilla unit, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), also surrendered.
The following day, five NPA members died during a clash with government troopers in upland Nagoocan village in Catubig, Northern Samar. Three high-powered firearms including a squad automatic weapon, an M16 rifle, and a Uzi submachine gun were recovered.
On June 9, troops from the 87th Infantry Battalion clashed with about 30 members of the Yakal platoon, sub-regional committee Browser, EVRPC. The encounter in Can-aponte village, San Jose de Buan, Samar led to the seizure of four M16 rifles, one .45-caliber pistol, a mobile phone, medical supplies, and personal belongings.
The most recent clash occurred on June 15 in Pinanag-an village in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, where a rebel, identified as Jomar Discar, also known as alias Guimo, was killed. Troops recovered one M653 rifle.
“We have dealt another significant blow to the NPA ranks, and this is all thanks to the invaluable cooperation of the residents of Eastern Visayas. We are now in the final lap of our goal of achieving long-lasting peace, and every citizen’s involvement is crucial. Let us continue working together to put an end to this decades-long insurgency and bring lasting peace and development to Eastern Visayas,” Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said in a statement.
Orio reiterated the government’s openness to reconciliation, encouraging remaining NPA members to surrender and take advantage of the National Amnesty Program. (PNA)
