Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – Visayas Command (VISCOM) on Friday informs that their internal security operations in the Visayas continue to gain grounds, as the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) in the region continue to fall into the hands of government troops.
The statement was made following another setback suffered by the CNTs, wherein a certain alias Magno was killed in an encounter with members of the 20th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Cagugubngan, Catubig, Northern Samar on September 29.
Acted on the information provided by the residents in the barangay, that an NPA member taking refuge in the house of a certain Juan Uy was conducting extortion activity, the government troops immediately responded by conducting a security patrol in the area.
Upon reaching the residence of Juan Uy, they were fired upon, prompting the government troops to retaliate. Alias Magno was killed during the said skirmish while the owner of the house, Juan Uy was wounded on his right knee. Likewise, one (1) Cal. 45 pistol was recovered at the site during the said encounter. The troops then evacuated Mr. Juan Uy to Catubig District Hospital for immediate medical treatment.
Lieutenant General Robert C Dauz PA, the Commander of VISCOM lauded the troops for their prompt response to the report of the residents, saying that “Your actions manifest your utmost dedication and commitment to accomplish our mandate and ensure the safety and security of the people in the region.”
He added by ensuring that the internal security efforts in the region will be sustained, “Your Servant in the Visayas will never falter in our efforts to secure the people and foster development in the region. We will sustain our gains until the entire region is free from the menace of the communist NPA terrorists.”
Lt Gen Dauz ended by reiterating his call to the few remaining members of the CNTs, saying that “More and more people in the region have rejected your ideals. It’s time for you to abandon the armed struggle, lay down your arms, and heed the call of the government to return to the folds of the law while you still can.”(VICTOR BALDEMOR)
