Robert C. Dejon | May 30, 2022
A member of the New People’s Army was killed and an armalite rifle was recovered after a 20-minute crossfire between state forces and members of the NPA around 9:10AM May 25 at Sitio Cag-anibong, Brgy. Bagacay, Palapag, Northern Samar.
Barangay officials of Bagacay identified the casualty as Geronimo Javier, a member of the Front Committee 15. Front Committee 15 of the NPA was tagged for intimidation, grave threats and extortion activities to the people and small businesses in the communities of Northern Samar.
The crossfire came after concerned citizens tipped the authorities of the presence of the communist NPA terrorist. The state forces immediately launched a combat patrol from the 81st Recon Coy which later resulted in the ensuing crossfire. After the crossfire, state forces recovered one (1) M16 rifle with seventy (70) rounds of M16 rifle ammos, three (3) magazines and one (1) bandolier in the encounter site.
In a statement Wednesday, May 25, the 20th Infantry (We Lead) Battalion spokesperson disclosed that the platoon headed by 1st Lt. Joey P. Nono discovered several makeshift bunkers prior to the encounter.
Lt. Col. Joemar Buban, Commanding Officer of the battalion, said that they are relentless in making the CNTs irrelevant in the Province of Northern Samar.
“With the help and support of the Nortehanons, the CNTs will cease to exist which will make lasting peace achievable and the condition for sustainable development will be established. We are calling on the CNTs to surrender peacefully and go back to their families. The government will accept them with open arms and they can start anew through the help of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program," Lt. Col. Buban said.
He also commended the platoon of 1st Lt. Nono and the rest of the battalion for their display of gallantry in persecuting the enemies. He also noted that the active support of the residents manifested their unity with the government in ending local communist armed conflict.
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