Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – The CPP – NPA in the Visayas continues to suffer defeat following the sustained and intensified focused military operations of the government troops in the region.
This was revealed following another significant loss suffered by the terrorist group during an encounter with the members of the 46th Infantry Battalion at Sitio Bagti, Brgy Mabini, Basey, Samar wherein two communist terrorists under Bugsok Platoon of Sub-regional Committee SESAME died and several war materiel were seized including: one M16 rifle; two M653 rifle; three long and three short magazine assemblies for M16 rifle; one bandolier; and one cellular phone.
“I commend our troops for their unwavering commitment to sustain our efforts in neutralizing the CPP–NPA in the region and ensure the safety and security of our people,” said Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of the Visayas Command (VISCOM).
He added, “This is a manifestation of our eagerness and dedication in ending the local communist armed conflict in the Visayas and free our people from the menace of the terrorist group.”
It was further revealed that for the month of April alone, six communist NPA terrorists in the region have been neutralized, four of whom surrendered to the government forces while two died during encounters. Nine firearms were also seized by the government troops during the period.
These are apart from the previously reported losses of the terrorist group on the 1st Quarter this year, wherein 72 communist terrorists were neutralized; 12 of whom died during encounters, 56 have returned to the folds of the law, while four were apprehended. 87 firearms and one 60mm Mortar were also seized during the period. Likewise, a total of 107 former supporters of the terrorist group denounced their support and pledged their allegiance to the government during the period.
Lt Gen Arevalo further emphasized that “No amount of disinformation and propaganda from the CPP–NPA can deceive our people. Numbers don’t lie. The terrorist group’s terror acts and treacherous ways have been exposed. The people themselves, and even members from their own ranks were fed up with their inhumane and anti-development ideology.”
“It’s time for them to lay down their arms, follow the lead of their former comrades, and return to the folds of the law while they still can, for we will never stop until justice is served for our people whom they terrorized for so many years,” ended Lt Gen Arevalo.
