Army foils ambush of CENRO & DAR personalities in Northern Samar

By DPAO, 8ID PA
August 25, 2013

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – Troops from Jole-Jole Detachment, 52nd Infantry Battalion (CAFGU) led by SSg Delfin Mallanta while providing route security to representatives from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) both of Las Navas, Northern Samar encountered around 30 NPAs in Barangay San Jorge, Las Navas, Northern Samar last August 24, 2013 at around 2:30PM.

Firefight lasted for about 20 minutes which resulted to the killing of Marlon Rebadulla, a member of Cafgu Active Auxiliary of Jole-Jole Detachment. The rebels suffered undetermined number of casualties as indicated by bloodstains seen along their route of withdrawals. The troops also recovered one hand grenade and two loaded magazines for M-16 rifle in the encounter site.

The encounter is a result of timely information provided by the local populace regarding the presence of NPAs along Barangay San Jorge-Las Navas Road who are planning to ambush the “Bayanihan” Team of 63IB and the invited speakers from DAR and CENRO that participated in a consultative dialogue held at Brgy San Miguel, Las Navas, Northern Samar. The Dialogue was organized to address agrarian and environmental protection issues in the said barangay.

Commenting on the incident, Brigadier General Rolando C. Malinao AFP, Commander of 803rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army said: “The NPAs once again showed their true color as anti-people. It is disheartening to note, that they want to sow fear and terrorize our workers from the government by disrupting the ongoing programs and activities aimed to uplift the standard of living of our people.”