34IB discovers NPA harboring site and recovers a firearm

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar - Soldiers from 34th IB augmented with CAAs recovered low powered firearm and war material at vicinity of Brgy Malobago, Motiong, Samar at about 4:30 am on April 11, 2011.

Lieutenant Colonel William P. Peñafiel Jr, 34IB’s Commanding Officer, acted on a report from the populace regarding fully armed NPAs who were temporarily harbored in an obscure location in Brgy Malobago. Upon receiving the report, he immediately deployed his troops of composed of one (1) squad from Bravo Company, 34IB along with two (2) CAAs. The approach of the troops forced the NPAs to hastily abandon the area. As of press time, troops are still conducting pursuit operations in the area.

The government troops also searched the area vacated by the NPAs and recovered one (1) M1 Garand rifle, one (1) clip loaded with eight (8) rounds of ammunitions, two (2) pieces hammock and assorted food stuff.

Meanwhile, Major General Mario Chan, Commander of 8th Infantry Division, lauded the troops from 34IB for a job well done and further commended the collaborative effort between the civilians and the soldiers.

In a statement, MGen Chan said: “Government troops remain committed in doing its job of protecting and defending the people from atrocities of the CPP/NPA. Moreover, we shall continue to exert all effort in winning the peace in all corners of Samar so that the Samareños may benefit from the prosperity and development that peace in the Region brings”. ###

Civilian’s support leads 8ID’s successes; Camp and war materiel seized and repel enemy’s attack

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – With the continuous support of the civilian populace to the government’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” particularly in “winning peace”, two successful feat had once again marked the Army’s 8th Infantry Division’s security operations in Northern Samar this past few days.

In Silvino Lobos, members of the 803rd Infantry Brigade’s Task Group Panther successfully overran the New People’s Army’s (NPA) camp in the hinterlands of Brgy Senonogan de Tubang around 5:45 yesterday afternoon following a tip from a civilian.

Reports from Colonel Oscar Lopez, Commander of 803rd Bde disclosed that the troops under First Lieutenant Nieves were conducting a routine security patrol when an undisclosed civilian approached and informed them on the presence of armed men allegedly seen in the aforesaid place.

Lieutenant Nieves then followed the routes directed by the said informant until they encountered some undetermined number of armed terrorists which immediately resulted to a firefight. Exchange of fires ensued for two (2) minutes before the rebels fled away bringing along their wounded comrades while leaving their camp behind. No one was reported hurt on the side of the government.

Recovered in the area are three (3) improvised explosive devices (IEDs), tents, personal belongings and voluminous subversive document with significant intelligence value.

In the municipality of Catarman, an undetermined number of NPAs harassed the Cag-abaca Detachment of the 52nd Cadre Battalion at around 1:05 this morning. Accordingly, the NPA’s attack failed due to the timely information provided by the residents in the area allowing the troops to prepare. The NPAs were armed with assorted high powered firearms when they attempted to take over the camp. Firefight lasted for more than two (2) hours before the enemy hopelessly abandoned their positions.

No troops were hurt during the scuffle while it is still being determined whether there were wounded on the enemy side as of press time.

Meanwhile, Major General Mario Chan, 8ID’s commander highly commended the collaborative efforts of the civilians.

“We cannot successfully carry out our mandated task without the support of our people. While I am congratulating my troops with their sacrifices and determination to overpower the evil desires of these terrorists, I would also like to appreciate our people who exert more effort just to contribute with our aspirations,” says Major General Chan.

He further said that with the unwavering support of the people to thwart the enemy in the area, peace will soon be won in the province.

He also said that another NPA plan was thwarted due to the unwavering support of our people. It only proves that insurgency could not be totally solved by a mere military solution. It needs intervention of our people and the civil society.

“As I was saying, this feat can be attributed to our people. Our services can be fully carried out if our people also show concern, not just for our soldiers, but for themselves too,” he says.

“Our people are already tired of waiting for their long desired peace and development in the region. Even they are voluntarily giving their share to lessen the burden of our government to fast track the solution of the insurgency problem which continues to mocks the decent living condition of our people. And now that they keep on showing their ardent desire for peace, the 8ID assures them with remarkable services for the sake of peace, prosperity and eventually development in Region 8 ,” vows General Chan.

Continuous rain results damage to Samar and Leyte islands

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – Continuous heavy rains throughout Region 8 have started to bring damage to properties and lives of the localities as reported by the different field units of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division.

In Southern Leyte, the Kahupian-Sogod Road is no longer passable as of this report due to a landslide in Sitio Dampoy, Brgy Olisihan of same municipality. Kahupian Detachment of the 52nd Infantry Battalion has coordinated with the Local Disaster Risk and Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) and shall give necessary manpower assistance for the clearing of the road blocks.

In Samar province, the 34th Infantry Battalion conducted preemptive evacuation of about 21 families from Brgys 1 and 4 of San Jose de Buan to a safer place after a flash flood threatened families residing in these low-lying areas. In coordination with the San Jose de Buan’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (DRRMC), 34IB troops are now untiringly constructing temporary shelters for the evacuated families to ensure their safety.

Meanwhile, seven (7) people were reported dead in Tacloban City after mud and rocks eroded and buried the house of the Jordan Family in Purok 5, Brgy Cabalawan. The victims were identified as Marlon and Jeanita Jordan, both 35 years old, and their five (5) children: Mariete, 16; Angelica, 14; John Paul, 13; John Rex, 5 and John Hirex, 3. They were all pronounced dead by Dr Jaime Opinion, the City Health Officer.

The 8th Infantry Division Commander, Major General Mario Chan has already ordered his field commanders to closely coordinate with the local DRRMCs to assure that all affected areas will be covered and provided with immediate assistance. 8ID is working closely with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-8) to assess disaster-prone areas, particularly those prone to landslides and flash floods, so that preemptive measures may be taken to ensure the safety of the local populace.

Colonel Labador is the new 801st Brigade Commander

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – The Army’s 801st Infantry Brigade welcome its new commander Colonel Romeo Labador in today’s simple but meaningful change of command ceremony held at Camp Eugenio Daza, Hinabangan, Samar with Major General Mario Chan, the Commander of 8th Infantry Division, presiding the activity.

Outgoing Commander, Colonel Alexander Albano, who had already assumed commandership of the Army Reserve Command earlier, has spearheaded the brigade’s operations in Eastern and Western Samar for more than two years before relinquishing his command to Colonel Romeo Labador, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983 and the former 8ID’s Chief of Staff.

In his assumption speech, Colonel Labador said that he will focus his efforts in the implementation of Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” to sustain the peace that reigns in the two provinces under his area of operation more particularly on the communities declared as insurgent-free to prevent the re-incursion of the Communist Terrorists (CTs).

Meanwhile, Major General Chan recognized the remarkable accomplishments of Colonel Albano in his more than two years stewardship of the Brigade that brought meaningful change to the lives of the people in the area. He also congratulated Colonel Albano for a job well done and bid ‘good luck’ to him on his new assignment. He likewise expressed his appreciation to the provincial officials headed by Governor Sharee Ann Tan-delos Santos of Samar and other stakeholders who were present and thank them for their all out support to 801 Bde under Col Albano.

Civilian’s tip abates NPA extortion activities

Camp Downes, Ormoc City – Some 20 members of terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the province of Leyte were encountered by the Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Mat-i, Brgy Antipolo of Albuera town around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, March 8 following the tip from the civilian.

Based on the report reaching this headquarters, troops of Second Lieutenant Vinluan were conducting routine security patrol in the area when an undisclosed civilian approached them and reported that some armed men who plans to conduct extortion activities in their barangay were seen in the place quite distant from their location.

The troops then diverted their routes towards the place being guided by the said civilian until encounter transpired. Exchange of fires lasted for about 30 minutes before the terrorist fled bringing along with them their wounded comrades.

One soldier was reported hurt in the side of the government forces while it is still being determined on the enemy side as of press time. Only excessive bloodstains that stained in the area of encounter were left when the troops pursued.

Meanwhile, Colonel John Bonafos, the 802nd Brigade’s commander commended the troops for successfully thwarting the enemy’s extortion to the people.

“Such gallant feat of our troops is a clear manifestation of their dedication to duty in protecting the people against the threat groups that will sow terror to the peace loving Samarenos”.

He said that another NPA plan was thwarted due to the unwavering support of our people. It only proves that insurgency could not be totally expunged by a mere military solution. It needs a thorough collaboration between the civilians and the soldiers.

Colonel Bonafos also condemns in the strongest possible terms the continuous blatant violation of the terrorist NPA on human rights and international humanitarian law in making the people as their “milking cow.”

“The extortion activity was already condemned by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) as extreme violation of people’s rights. This terrorist act is a clear manifestation of ill-respect to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), a total abuse of our people’s right that is deemed condemnable in the strongest possible terms,” declares Colonel Bonafos.

“We challenge the different human rights advocates who always create noise over the violation of human rights to come out and eventually condemn this undoubtedly human rights violation and stop extorting food supplies and money from the people,” says Colonel Bonafos.

“We would like also to recognize the heroism paid for by our comrade-in-arms who died in the true spirit of peace and democracy. The highest regards of our people and our Armed Forces will be bestowed upon him. Although sad to note, my deepest condolences to the loved ones left by Private Jonie Briones,” vows Colonel Bonafos.

Troops of 802nd Brigade are still in the area to pursue the fleeing terrorist and let them face the consequences of their illegal acts and be charged with the full force of the law. ###

8ID supports the international women’s month

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – More than 300 men and women from the Army’s 8th Infantry Division joined the street parade held in Catbalogan City on Friday morning, March 4 in celebration of the 2011 World’s Women’s Month.

Contingents from the PNP, city and provincial government, civil society organizations, academe and NGOs also participated in the worthwhile undertaking dubbed as “Baktas Kita”.

No less than Major General Chan, Commander of the 8ID led his troops to show his full support to the activity that give importance to women especially in recognizing and respecting their rights as human being.

According to Major General Chan, joining the said endeavor is just one of the various activities of his command in line with the programs of the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan”.

“This activity shows the collective and cooperative spirit of all members of the community which is one of the aims of IPSP “Bayanihan” in order to attain its ultimate objective of ‘Winning the Peace,’ says General Chan. “Hence, the 8ID will continue to participate in similar programs in the future,” he adds.####