NPA insists to inflict chaos over COVID-19 pandemic in Nothern Samar

By DPAO, 8ID PA
April 12, 2020

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The troops of the 20th Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, while conducting community protection patrol in response to a report from concerned civilians on the presence of armed group, were fired upon by about ten (10) Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) at the vicinity of Brgy Diit de Turag, Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar at 9:45 in the morning, today, April 11, 2020.

The 5-minute firefight urged the CNTs to retreat and took the north direction of Brgy. Ynaguingayan, Pambujan, same province. The troops seized one Huawei touch screen cellphone, one backpack, fourteen live ammunition of M16 rifle, one live ammunition of M14 rifle, and subversive documents. There is no reported casualty in the government side while it is still undetermined on the enemies’ side.

It can be recalled that on April 6, 2020 four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered in the vicinity of Brgy. Hubasan, Calbiga, Samar with the CNTs' intent to victimize frontliners conducting COVID-19 prevention efforts.

In the morning of April 7, 2020, about 30 CNTs swooped down on Sitio Bangon, Barangay Guinmayohan, Balangiga, Eastern Samar and took the relief goods intended for the locals.

While in the afternoon of same day, more or less fifteen (15) CNTs harassed and forcibly took foodstuffs from the populace of Brgy. Lakandula, Las Navas, Northern Samar resulting to an encounter where one soldier was wounded.

It is worth mentioning that on March 19, 2020, President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP-NPA-NDF as the Communist Party of the Philippines ordered its armed regulars on March 26, 2020 to observe a ceasefire with the government.

These willful series of attacks by the terrorists are violative of the unilateral ceasefire between the state and the CPP-NPA.

The terrorists are purposely casting the sufferings of the residents caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by orchestrating attacks that induce fear to the whole community.

Colonel Zosimo A. Oliveros, Commander, 803rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, in his message said that “The violence concerted by the CNTs are causing tremendous effect to the community while the peace arms of the government are focused in alleviating the crisis brought by the corona virus. Your army, however, assures the public that we will, at all times, defend the citizenry and will remain steadfast to grapple against the terroristic acts of our enemies”.