802nd Infantry Brigade meets new commander

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – The Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade met its new commander after a humble yet meaningful change of command ceremony that was held in their headquarters in Carmen, Bohol today.

It was presided by no less than the commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Major General Mario Chan which was also witnessed by the top brasses of the Army in Eastern Visayas and friends from different agencies and stakeholders such as Congressman Aumentado, Governor Chato and the Municipal Mayor of Carmen, Bohol.

After almost two (2) years of driving the successes of his brigade against the insurgents in Bohol and Cebu provinces, Brigadier General Alan Luga who will be assuming a higher post and responsibility in the Armed Forces satisfactorily relinquished his commandership to his successor, Colonel John Bonafos.

It was during the stint of Brigadier General Luga as commander of the said brigade when Internal Security Operations (ISO) responsibility in Bohol, Cebu and Biliran provinces were handed over to their respective Peace and Order Councils (POC).

On the other hand, Colonel Bonafos was not new in the area as he was one amongst those who gave their share of ISO accomplishments in Bohol being the former commanding officer of 15IB and the former deputy brigade commander of 302nd Infantry Brigade based in Bohol.

In his assumption speech, he said that, as a new commander of 802nd Brigade, he will focus his efforts to sustain the peace that reigns in Bohol and to prevent the re-incursion of the Communist Terrorists (CTs) to the provinces declared as insurgent free already.

Meanwhile, Major General Chan thanked Brigadier General Luga for his remarkable accomplishments that brought change of lives to the people in the area. He also congratulated General Luga for a job well done.

He likewise expressed his appreciation to the local leaders of the province such as Congressman Aumentado, Governor Chato and the municipal mayors for spearheading the fight against the insurgents.

“The success in Bohol is a classic example on winning against the CPP-NPA having the LCEs on the lead in the partnership with the Army,” General Chan concludes. ###

Government troops discover another NPA camp

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – Operating elements of 3rd Scout Ranger Company discovered an NPA camp at vicinity Brgy. Rufino, Las Navas, Northern Samar at about 1:30 p.m. December 3, Friday

Accordingly, troops received information coming from concerned citizen regarding the presence of armed men in their locality. Troops immediately acted on the information received thru text message and discovered NPA camp that can accommodate more or less 20 Communist Terrorists (CTs) with ten (10) makeshift hut bunkers, two (2) post and it has a water point at its vicinity with early warning devices installed in its periphery.

It can be recalled, from August to date, 38 encampments of the CTs were already discovered by the government troops. One of this is the main camp of Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) and that of the National Organization Department (NOD) of the Central Committee of the CPP that were discovered in the tri boundaries of three (3) provinces of Samar Island.

Colonel Oscar Lopez, the commanding officer of the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade based at Catarman, Northern Samar disclosed that the occupants of the newly discovered camp was planning to conduct sniping and ambuscades to the operating troops of the government.

Meanwhile, Major Mario F Chan, 8ID’s chief extended his appreciation to the local folks for the timely information that resulted to the discovery of said camp applauded his men for a job well done.

He also said that, with the continues support of our people, we will soon achieve the long deprive peace and development in Region 8.###

8ID starts month-long Christmas celebration

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan Samar – The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army formally kicked off the month-long celebration for the Christmas season with a ceremonial switch-on of Christmas lights held in front of its Headquarters building here.

The switch-on ceremony, preceded by a Christmas lantern contest was witnessed by civilian guests, military personnel, civilian employees, military dependents and other civilian personalities from Catbalogan.

In a simple program Dr. Dominador Q Cabangon, Ph.D., one of the judges in the lantern contest, in his message, saluted the 8ID for the good work and acknowledged the Command’s continuing effort of rendering service to the people of Samar Province. He expressed his feelings of delight seeing the craftsmanship of the stormtroopers as evidenced by the colorful lantern entries made of indigenous materials. He also, appreciated the 8ID’s unique way of observing the Yuletide Season through the ceremonial switching of christmas lights that illuminated the entire 8ID Headquarters Building and its peripheries.

Major General Mario F Chan, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division said that the switch-on of Christmas lights is just one of the activities lined up for the month-long Christmas celebration. Others are Search for Christmas singing soldier, sports fest which aims to promote sports development, camaraderie, esprit-de-corps and sportsmanship among the military personnel and a variety show during the stormtroopers night. The activity will be highlighted by raffle draw among the personnel of the Command.

After the ceremony Maj. Gen. Chan distributed Certificate of Appreciation to the jurors of Christmas lantern contest which was followed by one minute fireworks presentation while the 8ID choirs with Stormtroopers Band sings Christmas carols to the delight of the audience.

This is the 8ID’s way of celebrating the Christmas season, as the Command believes that spirit of Christmas should be enjoyed and cherished by all peace-loving Filipino citizens of the country.

8ID troops apprehend NPA regular member

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – As a result of pursuit operations conducted by the troops of Alpha Company of the 8ID’s 87th Infantry Battalion in the hinterlands of Northern Samar, one (1) regular member of the terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) was apprehended at Brgy Osmeña, Las Navas, Northern Samar at around 1: 32 p.m., November 29.

The CT member was identified as Domingo Hinandoy alias Ninoy, a full time guerilla member. Hinandoy revealed that he had participated in a series of combat activities, like ambush in Jipapad and Gamay of Eastern Samar and Northern Samar, respectively and a squad member of alias Jessie (true name unknown) an identified recruiter at Sinunugan de Tubang, Sivino Lobos, Northern Samar. He also named some personalities belonging to his squad.

In a report made by Lieutenant Colonel Leo Lorenzo Madroñal, commanding officer of 87IB disclosed that the unit acted upon a report text by the local populace regarding a band of CT’s conducting extortion activities in their area.

Meanwhile, Major General Mario Chan, chief of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division commended the soldiers for a job well done. He likewise extends his thanks to the people of Brgy Osmeña, Las Navas of Northern Samar for the information that was timely provided to the soldiers.

“If these cooperation from civil society will continue, we can easily defeat or totally eradicate the insurgents that hampered our peace and development here in Eastern Visayas”, Major General Chan adds.

As of press time, Hinandoy is undergoing custodial debriefing at the Headquarters of 87IB for further filing of appropriate charges.###

Civilian tips foiled CTs plan of collecting food stuffs!

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – the troops of Alpha Company of 87th Infantry battalion under 1st Lt. Taguinay L Agoy while acting on the reported presence of armed Communist Terrorists as reported by civilians through a text message, encountered more or less eight CTs one kilometer from the village on November 29, 2010 at 1:32 p.m. Accordingly, the said communist terrorists’ presence in the area was for the purpose of collecting food stuffs from the populace as scheduled. The said encounter happened while the troops were conducting combat and clearing operations at vicinity Brgy. Osmeña, Las Navas, Northern Samar

Fire fight ensued for about five minutes, after which the CTs scampered to different directions dragging with them their wounded members. No one was hurt on the government side.

The encounter is a product of a timely information provided by the local populace who are against the CTs’ harassment and extortion, a clear manifestation that they desire peace and stability in their area.

Earlier on the same day, elements of Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion under 2nd. Lt. Glenn De Ramos while conducting combat operation discovered an abandoned camp of New People’s Army at Brgy Anagasi, Paranas Samar on November 29, 2010 at about 7:28 a.m.

Said abandoned camp has two halls (bulwagan) and has 80 bunkers that can accommodate more or less 80 Communist Terrorists (CTs).

According to Lt. Col. William Peñafiel, 34IB’s commanding officer the abandoned camp could be an alternate camp established before by Regional Guerilla Unit of Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) operating in the area that they utilized in case of discovery of their main camp.

The troops of 34IB and 87IB are currently conducting pursuit operations against the fleeing terrorists.

Lt. Gen. Arthuro B Ortiz, Commanding General, Philippine Army sent a congratulatory message to Maj. Gen. Chan of this result. Similarly, Major General Mario F Chan, 8ID chief, commended the troops for timely responding to the report from the concerned civilians. He also extends his appreciation to the people of Samar for their support and cooperation given to the operating units of 8ID by pointing out the exact locations of the CTs operating in the area. ###

8ID Apprehends member of Private Armed Group

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan Samar – Army troopers from the 52IB of Purog detachment headed by Ssg Paras apprehended a certain Reynaldo Derio alias Noknok believed to be a member of Private Armed Group (PAG) of unknown political leader at Brgy Bocawe, Gandara, Samar on November 28, 2010 at 3:00 a.m.

Guided by information from concerned citizen of the said barangay, the Army troops conducted strike operations in the area of Brgy Bocawe, Gandara, Samar that resulted to the apprehension of Derio and the recovery of one AR 15 Colt M653 Cal 5.56, and one Colt Combat Commander Cal.45 pistol

The campaign against Private Armed Groups is one of the current efforts of the 8ID following the directive from President Benigno Aquino to get rid of these groups that threaten the security situation in the AOR. Through the support of the local folks in providing timely and accurate information and the enhanced coordination between the Army and the civilian populace in the area, 52IB had succeeded in the said operation. The massive information drives conducted by the 8ID have immensely enlightened the people of Samar, on their roles in our security efforts that have made them our significant partner in our thrust to eliminate the lawless elements and communist terrorists to include Private Armed Groups.

Maj. Gen. Mario F Chan, the 8th Infantry Division Chief commended the concerned soldiers and CAA’s of 52nd Infantry Battalion for a job well done of protecting the people, and likewise expressed his gratitude to the people of Samar for their wholehearted support to the intensified security operations that the Army is currently undertaking.###

NPA’s militia squeals his buddies, one shotgun seized

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – One (1) homemade shotgun was seized by the members of the Army’s 3rd Scout Ranger Company from New People’s Army’s (NPA) militia following a tip from his former buddy at Sitio Inuman, Brgy Tagabiran, Las Navas town in the province of Northern Samar around 5:20 p.m. of November 22.

Based on the report, the troops were conducting security operations in the area to preempt the possible entry of the fleeing terrorists from Pinipisakan Falls when they intercepted a certain Antonio Tan, 19 years old who resides in the mentioned barrio due to his suspicious actuation.

Tan after being interviewed by the troops revealed his connection in the underground movement and that he identified 37 other names of his companion in their barrio and in Brgy Sag-od same town.

The troops immediately paid attention to Tan’s revelation and visited the persons named by Tan where they captured a homemade shotgun under the possession of certain Santiago Lim, also a resident of Brgy Tagabiran.

Tan and Lim were later turned-over in good condition to Leah Danque, Brgy Chairwoman of the mentioned barrio for legal concerns. Troops are now making coordination with the Northern Samar Provincial Police Office (NSPPO) for filing of appropriate charges against the duo.

Meanwhile, at around 4:50 p.m. yesterday, 8ID’s 82nd Division Reconnaissance Company encountered undetermined number of NPA in the periphery of Brgy Canlobo, Pinabacdao, Samar following the tip of a forester. Exchange of fires ensued for five (5) minutes after which the enemy fled.

No one was reported hurt in the side of the government while still undetermined in the enemy side except that bloodstains splotched in the area of encounter were evident.

The troops are continuously scouring the area to track down the fleeing terrorist to immediately bring the possibly wounded foe to the nearest medical facility for medication.

In his statement, Major General Mario Chan, 8ID’s commander expressed his great appreciation for the continuous support of the people around. He said that the success of our efforts in winning the peace could be possible with the support of our people even with the people directly connected with them.

“I would also like to appreciate our people who exert more effort just to contribute with our aspirations. I just want to reiterate my former pronouncement. Despite of gaining grounds against the terrorist, I am deeply saddened every time I hear stories that another life has to be sacrificed,” says Major General Chan.

The Division’s intensified combat operations will continue for those who remain adversative to our Constitution. But for those who really wanted to promote the true spirit of democracy we are more than willing to give you a second chance for the sake of peace and democracy,” concludes General Chan. ###