New People’s Army (NPA) | INQUIRER.net file photo
TACLOBAN CITY –– An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter Wednesday with government troops in the remote village of Bagacay in Palapag town, Northern Samar.
Slain was Geronimo Javier, a member of the Front Committee 15.
The soldiers led by Lt. Joey Nono recovered 70 rounds of M-16 rifle ammunition, and three magazines, according to a report from the 20th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Las Navas, Northern Samar.
The government troops also discovered several makeshift bunkers in the area believed to be the rebels’ hideout.
Lt. Col. Joemar Buban, the commanding officer of 20 IB, said they were focused on ending the communist problem in the province.
“With the help and support of the Nortehanons, the communist terrorist group will cease to exist, which will make lasting peace achievable and the condition for sustainable development will be established,” he said in a statement.
Buban has called on the rebels to surrender and avail themselves of the benefits of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Integration Program.