By Marisol Bo-oc | 07:18 PM September 07, 2023
At least six suspected members of the New People’ Army (NPA) were killed in a series of encounter in barangay Campagao, Bilar town in Bohol province on Thursday, Sept. 7.
Bilar Mayor Norman Palacio said that the latest skirmish between government soldiers and communist rebels took place in Sitio Ilaud in Barangay Campagao, located two kilometers away from the highway.
At least 56 families were evacuated at the village’s covered court for their safety.
They were given relief goods by the municipal government.
In a statement, the Philippine Army said the six rebels killed in a series of encounters in Bohol.
The six NPA members died separately, two (2) were killed during the 2nd and 3rd encounters, one was killed during the 5th encounter. While three NPA members were killed during the 6th encounter.
The series of encounters transpired in Brgy Campagao in Bilar, Bohol between the joint elements of the 47th Infantry Battalion and the 21st Special Forces Company (Riverine) of the 302nd Infantry Brigade under Joint Task Force (JTF) Spear, against the remnants of the dismantled Bohol Party Committee of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR NCBS).
The first firefight erupted at around 7:35 AM where the troops while conducting focused military operations in response to a reported presence of NPAs in Sitio Ilaya in the same barangay. This was followed by a series of another five encounters in the same vicinity with only a few minutes of intervals.
“This series of encounters is a manifestation of our firm commitment to ensure the safety and security of our people in the Visayas region, especially now that the election period has commenced. We are expecting that the terrorist group will become active during the period to foster their extortion activities and project their force so as to threaten our people and influence the upcoming Barangay and SK Elections to their favor”, said Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo, Commander of VISCOM in a statement.
After the encounters, the troops recovered the cadaver of the six (6) NPA members and seized seven (7) high-powered firearms which included, five (5) 5.56mm AR15 Rifles and two (2) AK47 Assault Rifles.
Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM lauded the troops for their “unyielding efforts and compelling urgency to the people’s call for peace by intensifying its operations against the NPA terrorists scourging across the Visayas region.”
“This latest major setback suffered by the CPP-NPA in the Visayas will further degrade their manpower and armed capability which will lead to the eventual collapse of the terrorist group in the region. As such, we once again reiterate our call to their few remaining members, lay down your arms and return to the folds of the law while you still have the chance. Our efforts will never waver and we will remain highly motivated to end the local communist armed conflict in this part of the country, the soonest possible time, ” he said.
