ORMOC CITY– An encounter between government forces and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in San Isidro, Northern Samar, resulted in the arrest of a rebel.
Based on the report from the 8th Infantry Division, based in Catbalogan City, the rebel was captured after an armed clash took place in Barangay Palanit last Jan.27 at about 8 am.
The rebel was identified as alias ‘Doming’ or ‘Nitoy’ was said to be a member of the sub-regional guerilla unit (SRGU) of the sub-regional committee (SRC) emporium of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
He was said to have a standing warrant of arrest for the crime of murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 20 on October 10, 2015.
The soldiers, belonging to the 43rd Infantry Battalion, were in the area after receiving information on the presence of a group of armed men.
A firefight between the two warring groups resulted in the arrest of Doming who was left behind by his companions.
Doming later revealed to the soldiers that their group bury their firearms in sitio Kahidwangan, part of Brgy. Happy Valley of the said town.
Recovered by the soldiers were an M-16 rifle and a short magazine.
Lieutenant Colonel Nasser Arojo, the commanding officer of the 43rd IB, attributed the success of their operation to the timely and relevant information provided by the residents.
He acknowledged that the cooperation of the residents led to the capture of alias Doming and the recovery of the arms cache containing high-powered firearms.
“This is a clear indication that the community appreciates the efforts of the government and has decided to support the fight of ending the local communist armed conflict,” Lt. Col. Arojo said.
Meanwhile, Major General Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th ID, reiterated his call for the remaining rebels and the community to unite and work together towards socio-economic development.
“Let’s give peace a chance. Let us join hands and find solutions to our problems. There is no need for armed struggle. The government has programs anchored in the NTF-ELCAC where all government agencies and other stakeholders provide solutions to the problems especially in the vulnerable areas and sectors in society, “Ligayo said.
The arrested rebel is now at the San Isidro municipal police station. (ROBERT DEJON)
