CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City, Samar—an armed confrontation in Northern Samar resulted in the deaths of three members of the Communist-Terrorist Group (CTG) on December 5, with authorities seizing two M16 rifles during the incidents.
The clashes took place in the hinterlands of Barangay Victory, Las Navas, and Barangay Geparayan de Turag, Silvino Lubos, as troops from the 803rd Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, and Philippine Army initiated a hot pursuit operation.
The first encounter occurred around 3 p.m. in Barangay Victory, where government forces faced an undetermined number of CTG members, leading to the recovery of one unidentified body and an M16 rifle.
A subsequent engagement happened approximately two hours later in Barangay Geparayan de Turag, resulting in the death of a second CTG member, whose identity remains unconfirmed.
According to military officials, blood trails at the encounter site suggest additional CTG members may have sustained injuries during the clash.
Earlier in the same week on December 2, another unidentified body was discovered and later identified as Naldo Jarito, linked to the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
Lt. Col. Marvin Maraggun, Commanding Officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion, praised local residents and the Barangay Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict for their crucial support in reporting sightings of armed individuals.
“Your vigilance and partnership are crucial in achieving lasting peace, security, and development in Northern Samar,” Maraggun stated.
Meanwhile, Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, urged remaining CTG members to surrender peacefully, warning that ongoing resistance could lead to more casualties.
He stressed, “This is a clear message that we are committed to achieving total victory against insurgency in Eastern Visayas,” encouraging CTG members to take advantage of the National Amnesty Program for a safe and formal exit from their activities.
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