16 members of the New People's Army (NPA) were reported to have died from a 'focused military operations' conducted by the Joint Task Force Storm in Barangay Osmeña, Dolores, Eastern Samar, early dawn today, August 16, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Col. Ramon Zagala was quoted saying in a report published in a government network afternoon today.
However, a separate report from PNP accounts twenty-five (25) CTGs body counts. No one could readily reconcile the seeming inconsistent body counts.
Meanwhile, spokesperson of the Samar based 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Captain Reynaldo Aragones said it could not give more details about the incident since operation was still ongoing as of 5pm as of date.
“There was an intense firefight between our troops and the rebels. We have to ask for air support from the Air Force,” Aragones was quoted saying in a media interview.
“I cannot comment yet as to the number of casualties on the side of the rebels, but one thing is sure, there is no casualty on our side.”
The Joint Task Force Storm was composed by the elements of 52nd IB, Phil Army and Philippine Airforce .
The government troops have recovered from the rebels 29 high powered firearms and 7 improvised explosive devices IED.