8ID troops encounter NPA anew in Northern Samar

By DPAO, 8ID PA
June 18, 2015

CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – Army troops operating in Northern Samar Province encountered NPA members in a remote area of Barangay El-empon, Las Navas, Northern Samar early in the morning of June 15, 2015.

According to Lt. Col. Miguel E. Ceballos, Commanding Officer of the 20th Infantry (We Lead) Battalion, his troops led by 1Lt. Robbi Irvin Cruz received information from the residents on the activity of the NPAs of the said barangay and immediately conducted Focused Military Operation in the outskirts of Barangay El-empon when they saw a group of NPA rebels who were also in the area. Firefight ensued forcing the enemy to withdraw from their position leaving behind one (1) hand grenade at the encounter site.

There were three casualties on the government forces who were slightly wounded caused by the shrapnel’s inflicted by the grenade launcher while one NPA member was killed whose cadaver was brought to the barangay officials for proper disposition and identification.

Names of the wounded troops are being withheld pending notification of the next of kin. They will be evacuated to Camp Lukban Station Hospital for their recovery.

It can be recalled that the same encounter happened last week at Brgy McKinley, Catarman, Northern Samar wherein the NPA also suffered one casualty.