Army kills 2 NPA rebels, seizes arms in separate Eastern Visayas ops

TACLOBAN CITY — Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members were killed in a military operation in Dolores, Eastern Samar, while a separate operation in Northern Samar led to the recovery of firearms and an anti-personnel mine, the military reported.

The 52nd Infantry Battalion said troops encountered NPA members in the hinterlands of Barangay Jicontol, Dolores, early on Oct. 28, resulting in the deaths of two rebels and the recovery of two high-powered firearms.

The operation followed information from residents about the presence of armed rebels allegedly planning extortion activities in farming communities, the battalion said.

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READ: 5 ‘NPA rebels’ killed in Negros clashesAccording to the military, troops encountered fortified positions reportedly protected by anti-personnel mines, prompting the deployment of air and artillery support to neutralize the threat and assist ground forces.

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Lt. Col. Sandy Sereño, 52nd IB commanding officer, said the use of supporting firepower was intended to breach the rebels’ defenses while minimizing risks to government troops and civilians.

The battalion’s Civil-Military Operations team also conducted a dialogue with residents to explain the operation and address their concerns.

In a separate incident on Oct. 26, troops of the 19th Infantry Battalion recovered two M16 rifles and an anti-personnel mine from a concealed arms cache in the hinterlands of Barangay Osmeña, Las Navas, Northern Samar.

The military said the discovery followed information provided by a recently surrendered member of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, who disclosed the location of the weapons and explosive device.

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Lt. Col. Roger Gobway Jr., 19th IB commanding officer, commended the former rebel for cooperating with authorities, saying the disclosure could help protect communities from potential threats.

The military said the recovery of the weapons and explosive device would help prevent their possible use against government forces and civilians./coa