By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – At least 36 members of the New People’s Army in Samar provinces have been neutralized between October and November this year as part of the Philippine Army’s intensified fight against insurgents.
The Army’s 8th Infantry Division reported on Monday that from Oct. 1 to Nov. 20, the communist terrorist group lost its strength after 26 clashes in Samar Island.
These armed encounters resulted in the neutralization of 36 members of the NPA, including 15 who were killed, three apprehended, and 18 who surrendered.
Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, credited these achievements to the sustained efforts of the Joint Task Force Storm, noting that the success was made possible through strong collaboration among government agencies, stakeholders, and the support of local communities.
“This progress reflects our collective commitment to ending insurgency and achieving long-term peace and development in Eastern Visayas,” Orio said.
Among those killed during the period are two rebels, including a high-ranking NPA leader during a gun battle with soldiers in upland Sulitan village in Catubig, Northern Samar, on Nov. 5.
The military identified the fatalities as Glen Acebuche alias “Baste”, a platoon and squad leader of Front 15, NPA sub-regional committee Arctic, and Jeric Adante alias “Gino”, a member of Squad 2 in the regional guerrilla unit of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee.
Among those who surrendered are Lilio Betasolo Jacobe, alias “Baoy”, vice squad leader of NPA’s Apoy Platoon Squad 2, and Enorio Afable Aquilla, alias “Rokles”, a member of the same squad. Both rebels surrendered in Abejao village in Salcedo, Eastern Samar.
They yielded to authorities on Oct. 4 with the help of a former rebel who persuaded them to abandon the NPA.
The military also recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition in Eastern Samar. (PNA)
