TACLOBAN CITY – An alleged top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with government forces in the hinterlands of Barangay Osmeña, General MacArthur, Eastern Samar, on Thursday, July 25.
The 78th Infantry Battalion (IB), under the operational control of the 802nd Infantry Brigade (802IBd), identified the slain rebel as Joel Guarino, alias Duran, the squad leader of Squad 2 of the recently dismantled Apoy Platoon.
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bugaoan, the commander of the 78IB, said that around seven NPA members were involved in the firefight that occurred at about 9:45 am Thursday.
His troops were conducting development and security operations in the upland village of Osmena, General MacArthur when the clash occurred, lasting about 20 minutes.
No military personnel were reported injured.
Bugaoan said that soldiers recovered several war paraphernalia from the enemy, including one caliber .45 pistol, one homemade grenade, various war materials, and other subversive documents with high intelligence value.
Bugaoan attributed the successful operation to the collective effort of the community and the government to end the local communist armed conflict.
“The people tipped off the presence of these NPAs, allowing our soldiers to track their movements. However, the rebels fired upon the troops when they saw them approaching,” he said.
Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, the brigade commander of 802IBde, commended the troops for tracking the remnants of the recently dismantled Apoy Platoon, highlighting the significance of this successful operation.
“The neutralization of Guarino has left the remnants of the Apoy Platoon leaderless and directionless. Now, they are just a roving band of bandits, hiding in the mountains to survive,” Vestuir said in a statement.
Vestuir added that this operation is a breakthrough in the Brigade’s campaign to win peace in Eastern Samar.
He called on the remaining NPA members to abandon the armed struggle now that their leader is gone.
“I reiterate my call to the remaining NPAs in the islands of Samar and Leyte to peacefully abandon the armed struggle. The communities no longer support or welcome you. Do not wait to experience the same fate as your comrade today. The path of peace is ready to embrace you,” Vestuir said.(JOEY A. GABIETA)
