MUDDY ROAD. The muddy road in a remote village in Palapag, Northern Samar in this Oct. 29, 2021 photo. Land distribution and poor road networks were the two top issues raised by conflict-stricken communities in seven Northern Samar towns, the Philippine Army said Thursday (June 16, 2022).(Photo courtesy of Philippine Army 20th Infantry Battalion) TACLOBAN CITY - Land distribution and poor road networks are the two top issues raised by conflict-stricken communities in seven Northern Samar towns for the crafting of the Barangay Development Program (BDP), the Philippine Army said on Thursday. These two key issues were presented during the four-day pre-area clearing evaluation led by Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Edgardo De Leon and 20th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Joemar Buban. 2nd Lt. Joyce Ann Bayron, the Army's 20th IB spokesperson, said land distribution is on the top of the list of issues identified in 32 out of 39 villages previously infiltr
SENSELESS DEATH. Philippine Army's 20th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Joemar Buban visits the wake of a rebel killed during a clash with government forces in Palapag, Northern Samar in this May 31, 2022 photo. The military vowed on Monday (June 6) to continue its support to the bereaved family. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army) TACLOBAN CITY - The Philippine Amy's 20th Infantry Battalion (IB) said it will continue to support the family of a rebel who was slain in a recent clash with government troops in Palapag, Northern Samar. Army's 20th IB spokesperson, 2nd Lt. Joyce Ann Bayron, said they have been visiting the family especially the wake of Geronimo Javier, 31, a fighter of the communist terrorist group New People's Army (NPA) who was killed in an encounter on May 25. "We are committed to extend other assistance to the bereaved family to start anew and to live a peaceful life away from the lies and deceptions of the communist NPA terrorists," Bayr
CLASH. The map of Palapag, Northern Samar, the site of a clash between soldiers and New People's Army rebels on May 25, 2022. The firefight killed a rebel and led to the recovery of firearms and ammunition.(Google image) TACLOBAN CITY - A member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed during a clash with government forces on Wednesday in Palapag, Northern Samar, the Philippine Army (PA) said. In a report sent to journalists Thursday night, the fatality was identified as Geronimo Javier, a member of the NPA's Front Committee 15, the group responsible for intimidation, grave threats, and extortion activities in the Northern Samar communities. Authorities also seized an M16 rifle, 70 rounds of M-16 rifle ammunition, three magazines, and a bandolier after the armed encounter. PA 20th Infantry Battalion (IB) spokesperson 2nd Lt. Joyce Ann Bayron said the military acted on information from locals regarding the sightings of armed rebels in the remote Bagacay village. Before the
REUNITED. "Ka Jayto" (left), a New People's Army member for 10 years, sees his wife and child again after surrendering to the Philippine Army's 16th Infantry Battalion under the 402nd Infantry Brigade in Malitbog, Bukidnon on May 18, 2022. His wife and rebel medic, "Renchie", surrendered six days earlier and facilitated Ka Jayto's return to the fold of the law. (Photo courtesy of PA 6IB) MALITBOG, Bukidnon - A New People's Army (NPA) commander yielded to the 16th Infantry Battalion (16IB) under the 402nd Infantry Brigade at Barangay Kiabo in Malitbog, Bukidnon on May 18, or six days after the surrender of his wife. Following successive focused military operations and intensified intelligence operations, 26-year-old alias Ka Jayto, commander of the SRSDG EAGLES, Sub-regional committee 1 of the NPA's Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee for four years and considered a high-value individual, also yielded to authorities, the 16IB said in a ne
The map of Mapanas, Northern Samar. (Google image) TACLOBAN CITY - At least two soldiers were wounded when they clashed with members of the New People's Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Mapanas, Northern Samar on Monday. Capt. Jay-ar Cuevas, operations officer of the Army's 803rd Infantry Brigade said there was "strong resistance" from 10 members of the communist terrorist group during the 20-minute gun battle in upland Siljagon village in Mapanas town. "We are still gathering information from the community on the number of casualties or wounded from the enemy side. We are thankful for the locals who informed us about their presence. These NPA members had been frequently monitored terrorizing and extorting the people of Mapanas, Palapag and Gamay towns in Northern Samar," Cuevas told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview Tuesday. The clash happened past 6 a.m. on Monday. The encounter site is only a kilometer away from the community. The offi