Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – Team Visayas Command (VISCOM) welcomes the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt.General Romeo Brawner with another stinging blow to the CPP-NPA, following the encounter in Catbalogan City, Samar.
On July 21, members of the 87th Infantry Battalion under the 801st Infantry Brigade of Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm encountered a group of NPA terrorists at Brgy Bangon in Catbalogan City, Samar. The firefight lasted for about four minutes and resulted in the recovery of several war materiel, including three M16 rifles, several live ammunition, a grenade, and a binocular.
The troops are en route to recover an arms cache revealed by a former rebel to have been hidden at the aforementioned barangay when the encounter transpired. Several NPA terrorists were believed to have been wounded during the encounter as manifested on the bloodstains discovered by the troops on the enemy’s position.
Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM lauded the troops for their unyielding commitment to end the local communist armed conflict in the region, “I commend our troops for living up to our operational philosophy, “Feared by the enemy. Loved by the people.” These series of debacles suffered by the CPP-NPA are a testament to our unyielding commitment to end the local communist armed conflict in the Visayas.”
It can be recalled that from July 17 – 20, the CPP-NPA in the Visayas suffered a major setback following the encounter in Brgy Magsaysay, Mapanas, Norther Samar against the members of 803rd Infantry Brigade and the encounter in Brgy Montilla, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental against the members of the 62nd Infantry Battalion. Said armed encounters resulted in the death of three NPA terrorists and the recovery of four firearms by the government troops.
Lt Gen Arevalo emphasized that “Our focused military operations will be sustained. This will form part of our security preparations for the upcoming Barangay and SK Elections. We cannot allow the CPP-NPA to regain their foothold by terrorizing our people and influencing the result of the upcoming electoral process.”
He then urged the people in the Visayas region to cast their votes freely and choose a leader who values the ideas of unity and development, “We have seen the horror brought by the CPP-NPA. Let us not allow them to regain control and access to our community and our resources. Our people must have the freedom to choose their local leaders who value the ideals of unity and development. People who have the heart for genuine public service and who will lead them to prosperity.”
