TACLOBAN CITY – The 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division of the Philippine Army achieved significant victories against the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas, particularly on Samar Island.
From May to June 2025, five encounters led to the deaths of seven rebels and the recovery of nine firearms and other military equipment. Four members of the NPA, including a high-ranking leader, surrendered, resulting in the discovery of an arms cache with four high-powered firearms.
On May 26, 2025, two NPA members surrendered to the 63rd Infantry Battalion in Basey, Samar, bringing with them an M4 A1 Carbine and an M16 rifle.
On May 29, an unidentified communist terrorist was killed in San Jose de Buan, Samar.
On June 2, 2025, an NPA leader known as alias “In-In” surrendered to the 20th Infantry Battalion, resulting in the discovery of a hidden arms cache that included two M14 rifles, one M16 rifle, one M653 rifle, three improvised hand grenades, and various medical supplies.
Alias “In-In” was the Vice Squad Leader of Squad 1, Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee Arctic operating in the province of Northern Samar.
On the same day, June 2, another NPA member identified as alias “Bug-ot” of the Regional Guerrilla Unit, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), also surrendered. This was followed by a firefight on June 3, in Barangay Nagoocan, Catubig, Northern Samar, where five NPAs were killed.
The fatalities were identified as Noel Lebico, Sr., Arnel Aquino, and Nonoy Norcio, along with two others who remain unidentified. Troops seized three high-powered firearms including a Squad Automatic Weapon, an M16 rifle, and an Uzi submachine gun.
Six days later, on June 9, troops from the 87th Infantry Battalion clashed with approximately 30 members of the Yakal Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee Browser, EVRPC. The encounter led to the seizure of four M16 rifles, one .45-caliber pistol, a mobile phone, medical supplies, and personal belongings.
The recent clash occurred on June 15 in Sitio Bagong Bario, Barangay Pinanag-an, Borongan City, Eastern Samar, where an NPA, identified as Jomar Discar was killed. The troops also recovered one M653 rifle.
Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8ID, credited the success of the operations to the support and cooperation of local communities. “We are now in the final lap of our goal of achieving long-lasting peace, and every citizen’s involvement is crucial. Let us continue working together to put an end to this decades-long insurgency and bring lasting peace and development to Eastern Visayas,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Orio added that more breakthroughs can be expected as military operations continue to intensify. “Your soldiers in Eastern Visayas remain committed to our mission. We will not rest until the threat posed by Communist Terrorist Groups is fully eradicated. We will scour every mountain to find them and put an irreversible end to their atrocities,” he said. (By Marie Tonette Marticio / EV Mail June 23-29, 2025 issue)
