The Northern Samar provincial government praised the Philippine Army for a successful operation that resulted in the deaths of seven New People's Army (NPA) militants on the outskirts of Bobon, Northern Samar, on Sunday.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Governor Edwin Ongchuan, chair of the provincial task group to end local communist armed conflict, said the success demonstrates the government's dedication to pursuing peace in the province.
On April 30, at least seven NPA members were killed in an encounter with soldiers in the upland Santander village in Bobon town.
Following a tip from residents about armed men on the outskirts of their village, troops from the Army's 803rd Infantry Brigade engaged in an armed encounter with 40 rebels.
The armed insurgents are members of the NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee's subregional guerrilla unit and remnants of the defunct Front Committee 2.
Sevillano is an infamous rebel leader who committed countless crimes in Northern Samar Province.
Because the NPA lair was heavily fortified and surrounded by prohibited anti-personnel mines, soldiers requested close air and artillery support from the Philippine Air Force.
One R4 rifle, two M16 rifles, an AK47 rifle, an anti-personnel mine, and subversive materials were seized by soldiers.
Northern Samar is the most insurgent-affected province in Eastern Visayas, with two active NPA guerilla fronts.
According to the military, although front committees 1 and 15 are still operational, they do not control any villages in Northern Samar.
Catubig, Las Navas, Silvino Lobos, Palapag, Mapanas, and Gamay towns are home to the two remaining fronts.
Front Committee 2 was disbanded this year after the capture and surrender of several of their warriors, as well as the seizure of many weapons.
The NPA Front Committee 3, which operates near the borders of Northern and Eastern Samar provinces, has also been weakened as a result of government operations.
