CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar – A series of armed encounters unfolded earlier today, November 5, 2024, between the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade and members of the Regional Guerrilla Unit (RGU) under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) in the remote areas of Barangay Sulitan, Catubig, Northern Samar.
Capt. Jefferson Mariano, chief of the 8ID Public Affairs Office said the clashes erupted after troops responded to reports from local civilians about the NPA allegedly extorting and intimidating farmers in the area.
The firefight lasted several minutes, eventually forcing the insurgents to retreat, leaving behind the bodies of two unidentified NPA members.
Brigadier General Perfecto P. Peñaredondo, Acting Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, reiterated the military’s commitment to ensuring peace and order in Northern Samar.
He urged remaining members of the insurgents to surrender, stating they now have limited options as civilian support for the insurgency has waned significantly. Increasingly, residents are actively reporting insurgent presence to authorities, enabling the Army to track and intercept their movements.
“The government forces will not relent in the mission to completely eliminate insurgency in the region. With the support of local leaders and the community, and through the Whole-of-Nation Approach, we can achieve the people’s aspirations for socio-economic development and lasting peace in the region,” Brigadier General Peñaredondo emphasized.
This is a developing story.
