8ID winning the war against communist terrorists

By Cpt. MARIO JOSE M. CHICO (QMS) PA
October 13, 2007

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City  –  The 8th Infantry (Storm Troopers) Division of the Philippine Army is winning the war against the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist group as shown by the recent accomplishments of its field units during the 3rd Quarter 2007 ISO Assessment and Command Conference held on October 9, 2007 at Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City with its theme “Assessing our Performance as We Move Forward”.

During the period from January 1 to September 30, 2007, the field units of the 8ID gained operational superiority against the communist terrorists in the Eastern Visayas region as manifested by their numerous combat, intelligence, and CMO accomplishments.

In the 48 combat engagements recorded for the period, 41 of which was initiated by the 8ID troopers while 7 was initiated by the CPP-NPA-NDF. These combat successes have paved the way for the recovery of 41 HPFA and 301 low-power firearms (LPFA) from the communist terrorist while the government troops lost 7 HPFAs. On the fatality ratio, 12 communist terrorists were killed against 8 in the government side. Worthy to note on this aspects of Internal Security Operations (ISO) is that for the 3rd quarter of this year, there were 15 combat engagements registered all of which was initiated by the government troops gaining 25 high-power firearms (HPFA) from the communist terrorists. Likewise, 6 terrorists were killed in battle while no casualty on the government side.

These major combat accomplishments were basically the result of the downpour of public support to Army operations as manifested by their active participation by giving vital information on the whereabouts of the communist terrorists. This positive development can be attributed mainly due to the numerous community development programs of the Army units that have made wonders to the lives of our underprivileged communities in the region. Foremost of which is the “Baktas Kabubwason” project of 62IB and 801st Infantry Brigade in Basey, Samar; wherein they have initiated a Jatropha ‘Bio-Fuel’ plantation in cooperation with the LGU Officals and the stakeholders themselves.