1 CNT killed in pursuit operation in Northern Samar

By DPAO, 8ID PA
April 27, 2020

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City, Samar – Pursuing troops from 20th Infantry (We Lead) Battalion, Philippine Army clashed anew against more or less ten (10) fleeing CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) at the outskirts of Brgy. P. Rebadulla, Catubig, Northern Samar on April 27, 2020 at 12:35 in the afternoon.

A five-minute firefight transpired that resulted to the killing of one (1) CNT and seizure of one (1) sub-machine gun, one (1) magazine and four (4) 9mm ammunition during the said pursuit operation. There is no reported casualty on the side of the government.

The said CNTs are believed to be the same group of rebels encountered by the same 20IB troops that transpired last April 23, 2020 of same barangay. In this encounter, an NPA camp was overran while six (6) firearms were seized.

Lieutenant Colonel Juan A. Gullem, Commanding Officer of 20IB said that their unit is committed to end terrorism in their area of operations.

“I commend our troops for the display of gallantry in pursuing the enemies despite the exhaustion from the series of security and pursuit operations. The residents and the Army are now in the same wavelength to end the agitation and wantonness of the terrorists through absolute obliteration of their presence in Northern Samar,” Gullem stated further.

Colonel Lowell R. Tan, Commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade stressed that, “This unfortunate incident could have been avoided if the rebels heeded the call of the government to return to mainstream society and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).”