3 suspected NPAs killed in Northern Samar clashes — Army

Three suspected New People’s Army rebels were killed in a series of encounters in Northern Samar over the weekend, the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) said.

In a statement, the 8ID said concerned civilians reported that a group of armed men were allegedly engaging in extortion activities in Barangay San Jose in Mapanas town, which led to the military operation.

The clash started around 6 a.m. when elements of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion encountered an undetermined number of suspected members of the Regional Guerrilla Unit of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, according to the military.

One unidentified cadaver was recovered after the firefight.

Minutes after the initial clash, the state troops again engaged the same group of rebels trying to evade the government forces.

Another unidentified cadaver was retrieved.

Hours after the second encounter, the blocking forces of the battalion clashed with the rebels, with the firefight lasting for 10 minutes.

Around 10 a.m., another team of state soldiers had another clash with the fleeing rebels, according to the 8ID.

A third unidentified cadaver was recovered from the encounter.

Among the recovered items from the series of encounters were:

• one M14 rifle
• one International Humanitarian Law (IHL)-banned anti-personnel mine
• two blasting caps
• one M16 rifle
• assorted ammunition
• two backpacks
• one M14 rifle
• one M4 rifle
• Ammunition
• other war materiel
• other personal belongings

No government casualty was reported in the clashes.

Brigadier General Efren Morados, commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade, urged remaining terrorists to consider laying down their arms and embracing the government's reintegration and amnesty programs to build a more peaceful and progressive future.

Meanwhile, Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, 8ID commander, appreciated the concern and eagerness of the people to help the government eradicate the rebels in the area. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News