Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – A total of two NPA terrorists succumbed to their deaths, with six firearms seized by the government troops, as the CPP-NPA in the Visayas region suffers heavy loss, as the Brgy and SK Elections 2023 nears.
The 79th Infantry Batallion under the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade encountered the remnants of the dismantled NPA guerilla front, Northern Negros Front (NNF) of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS) at Sitio Nabalas Dos of Brgy Canlusong, EB Magalona in Negros Occidental.
The 15-minute firefight not only resulted in the death of two (2) NPA terrorists and left several others wounded, but also led to the recovery of two (2) M16 Assault Rifles; one (1) M14 Rifle, and several materiel by the government troops.
Meanwhile, in the morning of October 18, as the troops continued to scour the encounter site, they discovered several war materiel left by the NPA terrorists including, one AR15 Assault Rifle, one M16 Assault Rifle, one M1 Garand Rifle, four Rifle Grenades and several live ammunitions.
Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of the Visayas Command (VISCOM) commended the troops for their unyielding efforts to further drive the CPP-NPA to their imminent defeat “My upmost commendation to our troops who bravely displayed their commitment in our fight for peace in the region, as we keep on sustaining our gains and further push the CPP-NPA on the brink of imminent collapse.”
Notably, for the 3rd Quarter of this year, VISCOM was able to neutralize a total of 79 NPA terrorists in the Visayas region, with 110 firearms and 25 Anti-Personnel Mines seized while sustaining its relentless focused military operations.
He further emphasized that “As the Barangay and SK Elections is nearing, we continue to remain highly motivated in sustaining the peace and order in the region, as we will not let ourselves be complacent on preventing the NPA terrorists from sowing terror to our communities.”
Lt Gen Arevalo then renews his call to the few remaining members of the CPP-NPA to heed the plea of the government for genuine peace, “We once again call upon the remnants of the CPP-NPA to surface on the folds of the law rather than living a life in hiding. This is your opportunity to preserve your lives and at the same time be reconciled with your families, as you rejoin the government in securing lasting peace in the Visayas.”
