Alleged NPA leader slain in Samar encounter

TACLOBAN CITY – An alleged top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with government forces in the hinterlands of Barangay Osmeña in General MacArthur, Eastern Samar, on Thursday.

The 78th Infantry Battalion (IB), under the operational control of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, identified the slain rebel as Joel Guarino, alias Duran, the squad leader of Squad 2 of the recently dismantled Apoy Platoon.

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bugaoan, the commander of the 78IB, said that around seven NPA members were involved in the firefight that occurred at about 9:45 a.m. Thursday.

His troops were conducting operations in the upland village of Osmeña, General MacArthur when the clash occurred, lasting about 20 minutes.

No military personnel was reported injured.

Bugaoan said that soldiers recovered one caliber .45 pistol, one homemade grenade, and some documents described to have high intelligence value.

Bugaoan attributed the successful operation to the collective effort of the community and the government to end the local communist armed conflict.

“The people tipped off the presence of these NPAs, allowing our soldiers to track their movements. However, the rebels fired upon the troops when they saw them approaching,” he said.

Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, the brigade commander of 802IB, commended the troops for tracking the remnants of the recently dismantled Apoy Platoon, highlighting the significance of this successful operation.

“The neutralization of Guarino has left the remnants of the Apoy Platoon leaderless and directionless. Now, they are just a roving band of bandits, hiding in the mountains to survive,” Vestuir said in a statement.

Vestuir said the operation was a breakthrough in the government’s campaign to bring peace to Eastern Samar.

He called on the remaining NPA members to abandon the armed struggle now that their leader is gone.

“I reiterate my call to the remaining NPAs on the islands of Samar and Leyte to peacefully abandon the armed struggle. The communities no longer support or welcome you. Do not wait to experience the same fate as your comrade today. The path of peace is ready to embrace you,” Vestuir said.

READ: NPA rebel killed in clash with soldiers in Misamis Oriental town