Local communist terrorist NPAs in hopeless and desperate move

By DPAO, 8th Infantry Division, PA
July 7, 2010

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar  –  The terrorist New Peoples Army’s (NPA) conduct of an unauthorized checkpoint at Barangay Catalina, Jiabong, Samar Sunday night (July 4th) was dubbed by one of their former comrades as a hopeless and desperate move.

The terrorists in the area could no longer withstand the recent relentless and unwavering support of the local civilian populace to the government (Army and PNP) troops, which of late led to the continuous revelation and discovery of their encampments and safehouses in the area, which they previously considered as their controlled barangays and mass bases.

For this reason, these terrorists decided to come out in the open and establish a late-night checkpoint in order to inflict casualties by chance to any unfortunate passing vehicles.

One motorcycle, and two trucks plus several other civilian vehicles were flagged-down by the said local terrorist NPA’s in the said Barangay. The motorcycle driver was reportedly held at gunpoint and his motorcycle was used as part of the road barricade used by the NPAs. When several trucks and private vehicles passed but did not stop to heed the checkpoint, the terrorists opened fire, hitting the vehicles and wounding several innocent civilians on board.

Likewise, one caro truck was commandeered by the NPAs and its driver was ordered to position the truck across the highway to be used as a roadblock. The tires of the truck were shot at to prevent it from being moved. Moreover, the driver was also held at gunpoint for more than an hour.

Reportedly, the civilians passing the area knew that the checkpoint was illegal, due to the lack of authorized signages as well as the absence of uniformed troops, hence they did not heed nor stopped to be inspected. The said civilians knew the legal and required SOP’s for the conduct of military or Police checkpoints, as previously disseminated to them by the troops in the area.

Unsuccessful in their bid and intent to forage from the passing vehicles, and for fear of getting caught by the responding troops from the nearby detachments and patrol bases, the NPAs fled the area after discovering that the passing vehicles reported the illegal checkpoint to the authorities.

Roberto “Ka Huling” Gacuma, former Secretary of the SSF-1 of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee who is now advocating peace in Eastern Visayas said that the incident was a “desperate and hopeless” move of the terrorists because they can no longer get support from the people.

“Ginagawa ng mga NPA ang pag-checkpoint kung may target o may info sila na may papasok o dadaan na malaking pera tulad ng sa mga pulitiko o mga negosyante lalo na kung ito ay may mga escort na may dalang baril” (The NPA’s conduct checkpoints if they have a target or information that there will be politicians or businessmen who are in possession huge amounts of money, and especially when they have armed escorts), Gacuma said in a text message.

Meanwhile, Major General Arthur I Tabaquero, 8ID’s Commander, condemned in the strongest possible terms the continuous use of deceptive ploys of the terrorists to gain support and harass the masses. “That is a mere terrorism and we condemn such means of seeking support and harassment to the innocent populace”, Major General Tabaquero said.

General Tabaquero also reminded our politicians and businessmen to be more vigilant as they are eyed targets of opportunity by these terrorists. He likewise once again called on the citizens and other stakeholders to continuously support our efforts against these local terrorists, and to help and support the AFP and PNP by providing necessary information relative to the activities of the said bandits.