Army spokesman sees many NPA rebels killed after airstrike, heavy firefighting in Eastern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY––A heavy firefight followed by a military airstrike resulted in the deaths Monday, Aug. 16, of an undetermined number of rebels in a remote village in Dolores town, Eastern Samar.

Captain Reynaldo Aragones, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar, could not yet give more details about the incident since they were still going after New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at 5 p.m.

“Operation is still ongoing. There was an intense firefight between our troops and the rebels. We have to ask for air support from the Air Force,” he said in a phone 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,” he added.

Unconfirmed reports stated that more than 10 rebels died in the encounter.

Government troops belonging to the 52nd Infantry Battalion based in Oras, Eastern Samar, seized several rounds of firearms and improvised explosive devices.

Aragones said the area raided by authorities was where the rebels manufactured their improvised bombs.

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