Army hails civilian’
cooperation in tracking insurgents
By PIA Eastern Samar
February 7, 2011
BORONGAN, Eastern Samar –
The army through the 8th Infantry Division (8th ID) hailed the
cooperation of civilians in tracking down the presence of rebels in
their communities.
Through the army’s
implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” (IPSP-Bayanihan),
they were able to achieve what they term as ‘tactical accomplishment’.
According to an army
official, it means that smaller troops have done successful combat
operations. One of those cited includes an incident where residents of
Barangay Salvacion, Can-avid, Eastern Samar reported the presence of
armed New Peoples Army in the said barangay to the troops of 14th
Infantry (Avenger) Battalion.
As the troops
responded, they encountered a group of more or less eight communist
rebels in the morning of February 6, 2011.
The firefight,
according to a report penned by Lt Col. Noel Vestuir lasted for almost
fifteen (15) minutes after which the rebels believed to be members of
the New People’s Army (NPA) withdrew towards different directions.
The army added that no
casualty was reported on the government side while undetermined on the
NPA side.
The troops of 14th IB
recovered one caliber 5.56 M16 armalite rifle with one magazine filled
with 20 rounds ammunition and one US rifle M1 carbine that were left
behind by the withdrawing NPAs.
In another part of
Samar, the 803rd Brigade (803rd Bde) encountered an undetermined
number of NPA’s near the boundaries of P. Rebadulla of Catubig and
Barangay San Jose of Mapanas both of Northern Samar.
Firefight ensued and
no casualty was reported on the government side. The troops recovered
personal belongings from the fleeing rebels.
The army believes that
the people have rallied behind the government troops in their support,
thus the influx of civilian tips when enemies of the state are around.
The 8th ID Commanding
General, Major General Mario F. Chan, expressed his appreciation for
the support of the people and also congratulated the troops for a job
well done.
“I am happy to note,
that as we implement the government’s Internal Peace and Security Plan
“Bayanihan” we gained positive responses from our people,” Chan said.
He emphasized that his
army can never accomplish the same without the people’s cooperation.
“With the timely
information, our troops have prevented whatever violent activities and
plans of the rebel groups that may have endangered the lives of our
people,” General Chan concluded.
