8ID troopers continue to thrive against terrorists

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – a day after the successful encounters of the Army’s 14^th and 63^rd Infantry Battalions that resulted to the recovery of high powered firearms, another successes had marked the Division’s ISO campaign last March 20.

In the vicinity of Brgy Cagmanaba, Jipapad, Eastern Samar, 14IB once again successfully sparred against the terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) when they encountered some unidentified numbers of rebels around 11:30 A. M.

Accordingly, troops under 2^nd Lieutenant Alejandro Orina was conducting a security patrol when an undisclosed civilian approached and informed them on the presence of armed men allegedly encamping in the outskirts of barangay.

2Lt Orina diverted their routes towards to the mentioned area where they confirmed and intercepted the reported armed men which immediately resulted to a firefight.

Exchange of fires ensued for about 20 minutes before the rebels fled away dragging their wounded comrades while leaving one (1) dead.

Also left in the area of encounter were one (1) M16 rifle, one (1) M14 rifle, one (1) Garrand rifle, other war materiel, food stuffs, and a volume of subversive document and election posters and leaflets for their supported candidates.

No reported hurt on the side of the government.

Meanwhile, an improvised M16 rifle was recovered by the elements of Luneta CAFGU detachment in the residence of certain Sayong Manriza at Sitio Aliwanag, Luneta, Lapaz, Leyte same day.

Earlier to the incident, information was received by the said detachment that an alleged wounded NPA is being kept by the Manriza.

Together with the Brgy Officials and Tanods, the troops searched the said residence that made them recover the said war item.

With these feats, Major General Arthur I. Tabaquero, commander of 8^th Infantry Division reiterated his previous statement commending the collaborative effort of the civilians to the soldiers.

“I once again attributed these successes to our people whom we are mandated to serve for this is a unified accomplishment of both Army and civilian. Our people deserved to be congratulated for a job very well done,” he uttered.

“Though we are gaining grounds against the terrorist, I am also saddened to note that somebody’s life has to be sacrificed.”

“I once again call upon our brothers and sisters whom I considered victims of Communist’s deceptive ploy to embrace the governments means to re-integrate to our mainstream society in order to delimit the lost of lives through armed struggle,” said Major General Tabaquero.###