By Raydes Barcia
Legazpi City—Two members of suspected communist insurgents are killed on Christmas Day following the military encounter in remote area of Barangay San Ramon, Barcelona, town in Sorsogon province, the military regional spokesman said.
Army Maj. John Paul Belleza, spokesman of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division said that two members of New People’s Army were killed on Christmas Day in an encounter initiated by the joint elements of 31st Infantry Battalion (31IB), Regional Intelligence Division of Police Regional Office 5 (RID-PRO5) and 504th RMFC, RMFB5 in Barangay San Ramon, Barcelona town.
He said that the residents reported about the presence of NPA members in their area prompting the troops to conduct an operation which resulted in an armed clash against at least 20 rebels around 8:30 in the morning.
One rebel member was killed wherein one M16 rifle and anti-personnel mines recovered.
Subsequently, the fleeing members of the rebels encountered another group of Army and police ten minutes later resulting in the killing of another communist insurgent and the recovery of another two M16 rifles and terroristic propaganda materials.
“The government scored anew against the New People’s Army in an intensified operations of government troops who attempt to disrupt the peaceful and joyful celebration of Christmas in Sorsogon province,” Belleza said.
Lt. Col. Marlon Mojica, Battalion commander of 31IB, lauded the residents who tipped off the presence and activities of the rebels in remote village of San Ramon in Barcelona town amid Christmas Day celebration.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa agarang sumbong ng mga Sorsoganons hinggil sa presensya ng mga armadong teroristang ito. Isa lamang itong patunay na ayaw na talaga ng mga Bicolano sa CTG at gusto na nilang tuldukan ang mahigit limang dekadang terrorismo. Huwag po sana tayong titigil sa pagsuporta sa ating kampanya laban sa insurhensya at terorismo,” Lt. Col. Mojica said.
Army Col. Aldwine Almase, Brigade commander of the Army’s 903rd Infantry (Patriot) Brigade, assured the Sorsoganons of a more stringent measures being laid down by the security forces against the government’s enemy this holiday season to protect the people from any form of intimidation, harm and terrorism.
“Kahit Pasko, hindi po tayo titigil sa pagtugis sa mga teroristang ito sapagkat gaya ng aming ipinangako sainyo, pagtutulungan nating tapusin ang problema sa insurhensya nang sa ganun ay magkaroon na tayo ng totoong katahimikan at kaunlaran. Sa taong bayan po kami humuhugot ng lakas at inspirasyon at ang agarang pagbigay ng impormasyon tungkol sa pananakot ng teroristang NPA ay nagbunga ng matagumpay na operasyon,” Almase said.
Brig. Gen. Adonis R. Bajao, acting division commander of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division called on the remaining rebel members to stop wasting their lives in the useless cause.
“Hindi po namin gustong may patuloy na mamatay sa mga engkwentro dahil naniniwala kaming ang bawat buhay ay mahalaga. Ngunit kung patuloy na makikipaglaban sa atin ang mga teroristang ito, handa po ang ating mga sundalo na gawin ang lahat upang protektahan ang mamamayan at ang kanilang mga komunidad. Subalit palagi pong bukas ang ating pinto para sa sinumang susuko sa pamahalaan para magbagong-buhay,” Bajao said.
While the Philippine National Police in Bicol under Police Brig. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo said that all PNP personnel are on alert to maintain the peace and order that the government enemy is trying to violate.
“Patuloy po ang ating mga joint operations kasama ang Army upang hindi magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang sinuman na sirain ang mapayapa at masayang paggunita ng Pasko at Bagong Taon ng mga Bicolano,” Estomo said.
It can be recalled that last December 17, four rebels were killed while 6 high-powered and 1 low-powered firearms including several explosives were seized in a successful operation of 2IB, 903Bde in Masbate province as the government troops continue to sustain the momentum against the communist terrorists. (Raydes Barcia)