The Philippine Army (PA) announced the death of two of its soldiers in a clash with the New People’s Army (NPA) in San Jose de Buan, Samar province, on Wednesday, December 3.
PA commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Naffarete in a statement said two enlisted personnel were casualties in an armed encounter with Communist guerillas in Barangay Babaclayon of the said town.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and assure them of the (PA’s) support during this difficult time,” Nafarrete said.
Media reports reveal the casualties were both technical sargeants who were part of a joint strike team “conducting intelligence operations in the area.” Their names were withheld.
The 81st Military Intelligence Company (81MICO), Special Mission Platoon (SMP), and the 46th Infantry Battalion (46IB) commanded by 1Lt. Leonel John Garlitos were the units involved, an Inquirer report said.
The PA fought against the NPA’s Squad 3/SALIBAD, Yakal Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Browser of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), the report added.
No NPA casualties were reported.
“Security operations will continue,” Nafarrete said.
San Jose de Buan, a known NPA stronghold has been the focus of sustained military operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in a bid to meet Manila government’s latest deadline of eliminating all NPA units by year’s end.
In his State of the Nation Address last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said: “At last, there are no remaining guerilla groups in the country. The government will ensure that they won’t be able to recover.”
READ: More AFP bombardments, attacks after Marcos claim of zero NPA front—CPP
There have been a series of firefights throughout the country between the AFP and NPA units since the president’s declaration. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
