H E A D Q U A R T E R S

8TH INFANTRY DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY

8th Civil Military Operations (Dangpanan)Battalion

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan Samar

P R E S S R E L E A S E

September 18, 2010

Contact: LTC NOEL A VESTUIR OS (GSC) PA

Commanding Officer

Tel. No.: (053) 251-2264/251-2199 loc 3333 or 3144

E-mail Add: dpao_8idpa@yahoo.com

1 NPA killed, 1 M16 rifle recovered

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar –Operating troops of Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade encountered more or less 30 members of the Communist Terrorist New Peoples’ Army (NPA) on September 18, at about 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon in the upstream barangays of Las Navas of Northern Samar and Matuguinao of Western Samar complex.

Report reaching this headquarters those troops of 803rd Infantry Brigade led by 1lt Onipig while conducting security operation within the vicinity of the aforesaid area, a certain civilian resident gave an information about the presence of the armed men frequently seen in the outskirts of said area that caused fear to the civilian populace residing near within the area.

With the immediate response to the call of duty, troops under 1lt Onipig immediately proceeded to the alleged location of the terrorist and subsequently discovered an enemy encampment and encountered the armed group believed to be members of the NPA operating in the area.

No casualties reported on the government side while one terrorist killed and undetermined numbers of wounded as evidence of bloodstains in the route of enemy withdrawal. Recovered in the encounter site were one M16 armalite rifle, bandoleer and live ammunitions, voluminous subversive documents with high intelligence value and personal belongings of the terrorist at said encampment.

Meanwhile, Colonel Oscar Lopez, Commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade, based in Camp Sumoroy, Catarman Northern Samar, commended his troops for a job well done and to the undying performance to the call of duties as soldiers and guardians of peace.

On the other hand, Major General Mario F Chan, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division based at Camp Lukban, Maulong Catbalogan, Samar, appreciated and give thanks to the continuous support of the civilian populace that brought the success not only to the “Stormtroopers” but for the Samareños as well.

He also gave a direct order to his soldiers to continue the effort in conducting Internal Security Operation in the area while observing the rights of the civilians and even the rights of the terrorists.