ORMOC CITY-An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the government troops in the remote village of Catubig, Northern Samar on Saturday (Nov.25).
Information from the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City disclosed that the arm clash took place in Barangay Roxas, Catubig town while the members from the 74th Infantry Brigade were conducting a military operation encountered around 20 NPA members, said to belong to the front committee 15 of the sub-regional guerilla unit of the Eastern Visayas regional communist group.
The firefight lasted for ten minutes and resulted in the death of the alleged rebel member who was later identified as Jelmar Mendez alias Jet, a resident of Sitio Pangudtan, Barangay Siljagon, Mapanas, also in Northern Samar.
He was said to be a medical officer of their armed group.
The cadaver Mendez was brought to a funeral home in Gamay town and was claimed by his family.
Lt. Col. Jose Roy Manuel Dizon, the commanding officer of the 74th IB, attributed the success of the operation to the cooperation and the timely information provided by the civilians.
“We thank the residents for their cooperation in providing relevant information that resulted in the success of the operation. Despite this, we are saddened that another life is lost because of senseless ideology,” he said.
Lt.Col. Dizon also extends his sympathy and condolences to the family of the killed rebel.
(ROBERT DEJON)
