A TOP military official said Tuesday, August 17, that they have already started the identification process of the 16 cadavers of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members who were killed in an encounter with government troops in their jungle camp in Dolores, Eastern Samar Monday, August 16.
Major General Pio Diñoso III, commander of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar, said the bodies will be turned over to the local government of Dolores.
In a virtual press conference, the Army official said they will determine if the cadavers, identified only as 12 males and four females, include high-ranking rebel leaders.
However, initial conflicting reports said at least 25 rebels were killed during the encounter.
“This is a big blow to the communist insurgency,” said Diñoso, as he also lauded the assistance from Philippine Air Force and the operating troops for the “legitimate assets” like “jets and drones” during the intense 13-hour firefight.
No casualty was recorded on the government side, the military official said.
Meanwhile, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone commended the military’s “successful operation” against the rebels.
“I would like to thank the military and the civilian population for a very successful operation against the insurgents in Dolores. Had it not for the close cooperation between the military and the local population, the campaign against the communists would not have been successful,” the governor said.
“I hope that this kind of close collaboration will continue so that we can attain peace and development in our province and country,” he added.
In a statement, Evardone reiterated his “appeal” to the rebels “to surrender to the government so that they can be given all the benefits and live a normal life with their families.”
“Let's stop this fighting already. It has cost so much lives of our own brothers and sisters, and prevented development of our country. I am willing to sit down with you to listen to all your concerns. Let's work together for our province and our country,” the governor said.
Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief Captain Reynaldo Aragones earlier said Army personnel from 52nd Infantry Battalion were responding to information they received regarding the presence of suspected NPA rebels in their bomb-making hideouts at the vicinity of Barangay Osmena, Dolores.
The military also recovered 29 high-powered firearms and other war materials abandoned by the rebels.
Poverty-stricken Samar Island has remained a hotbed of insurgency with the continued presence of NPA, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the Philippines. (SunStar Philippines)