Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – The CPP-NPA in the Visayas region suffers a crushing defeat to start the 2nd half of 2023, as the Visayas Command’s (VISCOM) relentless focused military operations and localized peace engagements continue to gain grounds against the terrorist group, according to Lt Col Israel Galorio, VISCOM chief Public Information Office.
Col Galorio disclosed that for the month of July, a total of 25 NPA terrorists were neutralized, and 38 firearms were seized by the members of Team VISCOM.
Eight (8) of the neutralized NPA terrorists died during encounters and 17 returned to the folds of the law. Likewise, of the 38 firearms that were seized, 22 of which are high-powered firearms while 16 were low-powered, Galorio said.
“Our focused military operations and localized peace engagements will always remain as the bread and butter of our campaign in defeating the CPP-NPA in the Visayas region. For these will significantly degrade both their manpower and armed capability which will eventually lead to the fall of the terrorist group,” Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM emphasized.
It can be recalled that on July 16, members of the 42nd Infantry Battalion delivers a huge blow against the CPP-NPA as their incessant localized peace engagement resulted to the recovery of an arms cache, containing four (4) M16 rifles; five (5) M14 rifles; one (1) M79 grenade launcher; one (1) shotgun; three (3) anti-personnel mines; and several other war materials in Brgy Boco, Can-avid, Eastern Samar.
Said debacle was followed with another stinging blow on July 22, as two (2) NPA Leaders were neutralized and three (3) high-powered firearms were recovered by the members of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion and 19th Infantry Battalion in an encounter in Brgy Cagbigajo, Pambuhan, Northern Samar.
The most recent setback of the terrorist group occurred in Western Visayas on July 29, as two (2) NPA terrorists and four (4) firearms were seized by the members of the 61st Infantry Battalion following an encounter with the terrorist group in Brgy Ayabang, Leon, Iloilo.
“The losses suffered by the CPP-NPA in the Visayas region have caused irreparable damages to the terrorist group. The continued support of our people coupled with the active collaboration of our local government units and the different government agencies through the Task Force ELCAC, have kept us highly motivated and placed us in a better position to end the local communist armed conflict in the region,” added by Lt Gen Arevalo.
He then concluded by urging the remnants of the CPP-NPA in the Visayas to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law, “We know that you are tired and weary. Lay down your arms now and embrace our government’s call for you to return to the folds of the law. We assure you of our support and ensure that you will live a peaceful and progressive lives with your families.”
