TACLOBAN CITY – Government forces from the 46th Infantry Battalion successfully killed a top-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) during a clash in Barangay Cawayan, Catbalogan City, Samar, on December 13, 2024.
The 9 am encounter, which lasted for 15 minutes, forced the NPA rebels to retreat northwest, leaving behind their slain comrade and key items, including a .45 caliber pistol and subversive documents, the 8th Infantry Division (ID), based in Catbalogan City, said in a report on Sunday, Dec. 15.
The killed rebel was identified as Artemio Solayao, alias “Budil,” the leader of Squad 2, Yakal Platoon, under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), the 8th ID said.
Solayao had multiple warrants of arrest for various crimes, including the 2014 ambush of the 14th IB in Brgy. Maypadandan, also in Catbalogan City.
It was learned that a relative of the alleged NPA leader claimed his remains hours after the incident.
Major General Adonis Ariel G. Orio, commander of the 8th ID, hailed the operation as a major victory in the campaign against insurgency in Eastern Visayas.
“This incident could have been avoided if the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) had surrendered and embraced the government’s call for peace,” he said in a statement.
Orio emphasized the Philippine Army’s commitment to ending the insurgency in Samar provinces, adding, “We will remain steadfast in protecting our people and eliminating threats to peace.”
Orio also encouraged active NPA members to take advantage of the government’s National Amnesty Program, coordinating through their relatives or local officials to ensure a safe and formal surrender process.
(ROBERT DEJON)
