By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
During the 19th Infantry Battalion (19th IB) and 8th Infantry Division’s (8th ID) conduct of joint focused military operations in Barangay Paco, Las Navas, Northern Samar on Monday (Dec. 2), six New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed and four firearms were seized.
These slain insurgents belong to the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Emporium, Eastern Visyas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) under Ariel Baselga alias Poly/Aries. They are notorious for committing numerous atrocities in the areas of Northern Samar such as extortion, killing of innocent people and terrorizing communities.
Among those atrocities were the recent harassment against 8ID troopers who were facilitating the delivery of basic and social services at geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in Northern Samar. On May 16, Cpl. Isagani Balmes, a member of 19th IB was hit by a bullet on the left side of his chest while providing community support in Barangay Lourdes, Las Navas, resulting in his death. On October 5, in Barangay Capotoan, Las Navas, Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) CAA Alejandro Claudio, unarmed and on his way to render duty to his designated community, was attacked by rebels.
The anti-insurgency operation was conducted following a concerned civilian’s tip about a group of armed men seen passing through Las Navas’ mountainous area.
Based on the accounts of government troops, the lair of these rebels was heavily fortified and surrounded by anti-personnel mines (APMs) that were banned under the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), prompting soldiers to call for artillery support during the operation which ended in the recovery of six unidentified cadavers, two M16 rifles, two pistols, three grenades, and assorted personal belongings.
“Sa mga kapatid natin na patuloy na lumalaban sa gobyerno, ako ay nakikiusap na kayo po ay mag-surrender at tumulong sa mga inisyatiba ng ating gobyerno; at sa mga naliligaw ng landas na mga kapatid, sa mga sugatan kayo po ay mag-surrender na. Ang gobyerno lokal, probinsiya, at national ay naririto po, handang tumulong sa inyong pagbabagong buhay at upang maipagpatuloy ang progreso ng ating bayan para sa inyong pamilya at sa buong bayan.” pleaded Las Navas Mayor Arlito Tan, urging remaining insurgents to surrender and work with the Philippine government.
“This operation is an initial step toward developing a peaceful and threat-free local election. As we all know, some political candidates have been threatened by the CTG (communist-terrorist group), which has been demanding permits to campaign. That is why we encourage our political candidates not to give in to the demands of the CTGs and not to be afraid. We will support you, and together we will ensure a peaceful, fair, and honest election,” said Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm and 8th Infantry Division Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, attributing the operation’s success to the cooperation of residents in formerly conflict-affected areas.
Multiple warrants of arrest for murder and attempted murder have been issued against those CTG members responsible for committing the Northern Samar incidents. (with report from Patrick de Jesus/PTV News)
-iro
