NPA attack innocent civilians in Calbayog

By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
October 31, 2010

CAMP LUKBAN, Maulong, Catbalogan, Samar  –  An undetermined number of terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) attacked the peace-loving residents of Brgy Malaga, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City amidst their sleep at around 4:30 this morning.

In a report from Lieutenant Colonel Jose Narciso, commanding officer of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion based in Tinambacan Sur, Calbayog City, a group of undetermined number of communist terrorist with five (5) amazons armed with assorted firearms led by communist terrorist leader alyas “Nady” raided the houses of certain Arturo Flor, a businessman, Brgy Chairman Eugene Nuńes and other residences in the said barangay.

The terrorist NPA also shot one person identified as Kagawad Anthony Giray and the Chief Tanod but the latter was able to escape despite being wounded. He was later evacuated to Calbayog City for medical treatment.

During the said attack, the CTs had a missed encounter with their comrades that are also posted in the vicinity of the said barangay. The residents in the area claimed that the firefight lasted for about ten minutes and when they fled the area, they suffered one killed and one wounded as a result of the missed encounter.

Also during the attack, the terrorist NPA established a checkpoint along the highway utilizing vehicles that they flagged down to block the possible reinforcement of the government troops.  One truck that did not stop in the said checkpoint was fired upon by the communist terrorist that resulted to the explosion of its tire. No one was reportedly hurt in the said incident. Sensing that they might get caught by the government troops, the communist terrorists left the area before the arrival of the reinforcing troops from 20IB.

Some undisclosed civilians from the area revealed that the incident is still related to the recently concluded Barangay and SK election that when the NPA supported candidates failed to pick a local seat thru election, they resorted to harassment as retribution to the people.

Lieutenant Colonel Narciso immediately ordered his troops to track down the fleeing rebels utilizing the full might and strength of his unit. The troops are still in the area as of press time.

Meanwhile, Major General Mario Chan, the 8ID’s commander said that the attack was a desperate move by the terrorist NPA in order to divert the attention of the government forces in the ongoing combat operations.  The communist terrorists resorted to attacking innocent civilians whom they consider as soft targets in order to project an image of strength and that they are still a force to reckon with.

Nevertheless, General Chan noted that the current conduct of operations of the 8ID has severely degraded the capabilities of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee. The recent discovery of twenty CPP/NPA encampments, their arms and war materiel caches, their stock of food supplies, their communications equipment, medical facilities and other items have severely crippled their revolutionary activities.