TACLOBAN CITY– An alleged rebel member was killed and different ammunitions were recovered after an encounter with government troops in a hinterland village in Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Saturday (Feb. 18).
Report from the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar, disclosed that the 11 am fire fight took place in Barangay San Andres in the said city.
This resulted in the death of one rebel and the recovery of firearms left behind the nine alleged rebels who engaged the soldiers from the 78th Infantry Battalion whose headquarter is in Borongan City, the report added.
Also recovered by the soldiers were an anti-personnel mine and assorted ammunition.
The government troopers learned on the presence of the rebels in the area after villagers reported it.
Lt. Col. Allan Tria, the commanding Officer of the 78IB, appealed to the rebels who continue to fight against the government to lay down their arms.
He also called on the villagers to help them the rebels who could have sustained wounds during the encounter so they could be provided with medical treatment.
Meanwhile, Major General Camilo Ligayo, the commander of 8th ID, commended the troops of 78IB for their efforts on their fight against the rebels and to bring peace in Eastern Samar province.
“Once again, the communist terrorist group leadership failed to take care of their fallen comrade. They have been deceiving the people of Samar Island to join their futile and ill-motivated armed struggle ever since. I call on the Samar Island people to join us in our efforts and once and for all End the Local Communist Armed Conflict here in Eastern Visayas,” he said in a statement.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
