HABANG nasa kasagsagan ng isinasagawang National Simultaneous Earthquake drill ang mga taga lalawigan ng Bohol ay napasabak naman sa matinding sagupaan ang mga tauhan ng AFP-Visayan Command sa isang grupo ng nalalabing New People’s Army na ikinamatay ng anim na communist terrorist cadre.
“The six (6) NPA members died separately, two (2) were killed during the 2nd and 3rd encounter, one (1) was killed during the 5th encounter. While three (3) NPA members were killed during the 6th encounter,” ito ang ulat na ipinarating kay VISCOM commander, Lt. General Benedict Arevalo.
Na-recover ng military ang anim na bangkay ng mga NPA matapos ang serye ng sagupaan na naganap sa loob lamang ng isang araw na nagsimula alas-7:45 ng umaga sa Brgy. Campagao, bayan ng Bilar, sa pagitan ng 47th Infantry Battalion kasama ang 21st Special Forces Company (Riverine) ng 302nd Infantry Brigade sa ilalim ng Joint Task Force (JTF) Spear, laban sa nalalabing Bohol Party Committee ng Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR NCBS).
Ayon kay Lt. Col. Israel Galorio, Armed Forces-Visayas Command information officer, nagsasagawa ng military operation ang kanilang mga tauhan sa Siliti Ilaud, Brgy. Campagao nang makasagupa nila ang grupo ni Domingo Compoc, alias “Commander Cobra”, na nagresulta din sa pagkakabawi sa pitong matataas na kalibre ng armas na kinabibilangan ng limang (5) 5.56mm AR15 Rifles at dalawang (2) AK47 Assault Rifles.
Nabatid na nakatanggap ng impormasyon ang militar hinggil sa presensya ng mga rebelde na sapilitang nanghihingi ng mga pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan sa mga residente.
Sinabi ni Galorio, dalawang units ng Task Force Spear na kinabibilangan ng 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) at 21st Special Forces Riverine Company (SFRC) ang inatasang sumagupa sa mga rebelde kamakalawa ng umaga na nasundan pa ng limang sagupaan sa nasabing barangay.
“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,” sabi pa ni Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo.
“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,” pahayag pa ni Lt. Gen. Arevalo.
(JESSE KABEL RUIZ)
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