2 alleged NPA rebels killed, 3 arrested in Northern Samar clash

Northern Samar map

TACLOBAN CITY – Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while three others were arrested in an encounter in Barangay (village) Happy Valley, San Isidro town, Northern Samar on Friday, Nov. 18.

Captain Valben Almirante, the civil military operations officer of the 803rd Infantry Brigade (IB) based in Catarman town, Northern Samar, said the area of the firefight was so remote that the bodies of the two suspected rebels were only brought to the town proper on Saturday night.

Almirante said the bodies will be turned over to their families or relatives otherwise they will be buried at the San Isidro public cemetery.

The soldiers, he said, were in the vicinity of Barangay Happy Valley at about 12:30 p.m. when about 20 suspected rebels started shooting at them.

To protect themselves, the soldiers returned fire and killed the two suspected rebels.

The three other suspected rebels, who were arrested, were turned over to the custody of the San Isidro police.

Almirante said the rebels were members of the Front Committee 2 and Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit of the Sub-Regional Committee “Emporium” of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo, the brigade commander of the 803rd IB, expressed his gratitude to the people of Barangay Happy for their cooperation In the fight against insurgency.

He also urged the remaining members of the communist rebels to return to the folds of the law.

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/MUF