8ID troopers encounters NPA remnants in Leyte

By Maj. OTHELO D. YAÑEZ (FA) PA
September 5, 2007

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City  –  Elements of 43rd Infantry Battalion led by 2nd Lieutenant Guetering Philippine Army under the operational control of 19IB led by Lt Col Henry I. Bumiltac encountered a group of Communist Terrorist remnants at vicinity of Sitio Capitungan, Brgy Tapol, Leyte, Leyte at around 5:00 o’clock in the morning of September 02, 2007.

Firefight ensued for about five minutes, after which the said Communist Terrorist withdraw towards different direction. No casualty was reported on both side, however, the Communist Terrorists remnants may suffered injuries as evidence by traces of bloodstain on their route of withdrawal. Government troopers recovered one (1) M16 rifle with Serial Number 004084 and one (1) magazine with nine (9) live ammunitions.

The incident came about when a barangay tanod reported to the military detachment the presence of Communist Terrorist in the aforementioned area. Accordingly, the Communist Terrorist operating on said place is led by alias Jordan, the Commanding Officer of NEPAL Squad of the Communist Terrorist operating in Northern Leyte. The local residents claimed that they were already fed up of continued extortion, coercion and unfilled promises by the CPP/NPA leaders. This also confirms the information revealed by the NPA surrenderees who are cooperating well with the government authorities.

Maj. Gen. Armando L. Cunanan, the Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division commended the troops for its continued vigilance in protecting the people in order to achieve lasting peace and development in the region.