Army Troops Clashed again with the NPAs in Matuguinao, Samar

 

CAMP GENERAL VICENTE LUKBAN, CATBALOGAN CITY – Another clash between the troops of 43^rd Infantry (We Search) Battalion and the NPA terrorists took place today at 8:30 a.m. at Barangay Mahayag, Matuguinao, Samar.

            Upon receiving a warning coming from a concerned villager on the presence of the armed group conducting illegal activities in the community, troops immediately responded and encountered more or less 60 rebels.

            During the heat of the firefight, the 3^rd Field Artillery Battalion launched  rounds of artillery fire support to the engaging troops to pin down the striking enemies.

            Initial result of the encounter disclosed that there was no casualty on the government side while undetermined on the enemy side.

            During the tension, the military troops ensured the safety of the community and were advised not to go home until the clash is over.

Maj Gen Raul M Farnacio said that the 8^th Infantry Division will pursue its combat operation to hunt these terrorists who are continuing illegal activities that disturb the well-being of our people. In planning and conducting operations, the Army puts the people’s welfare and well-being above all other consideration.

DAR installs new provincial heads

CATBALOGAN, Samar – Eastern Samar Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer-II (PARPO-II) Enrique Granados III now heads the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) provincial office in Samar after he was installed on Monday by Regional Director Sheila Enciso.

          Granados replaced Leovigildo Monge, by virtue of Special Order No. 250, series of 2017 issued by Secretary Rafael Mariano early this month, as the latter will retire from government service on his 65^th birthday on May 28.

          In his acceptance message, Granados said that his new assignment is a challenge to him on how to maintain the impressive performance of Samar under PARPO Monge. DAR-Samar in 2015 was recognized among top performers.

          According to Land Tenure Improvement Division Chief Celsa Mabutin, though they expect a different management style, they need the expertise of PARPO Granados in the documentation of distributed but not yet documented (DNYD) lands.

          Granados, 60, joined DAR in 1983 as Senior Land Acquisition and Allocation Officer. He became Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO) in 1988 before becoming chief of the Beneficiaries Development Coordinating Division (BDCD) and the Operations Division on separate occasions.

          In 2003, he was designated PARPO-II for Northern Samar. He also became the DAR provincial chief in Leyte prior to his assignment in Eastern Samar where he served for eight years.

          Meanwhile, on May 12 before reporting to his new assignment, Granados turned over his responsibilities in Eastern Samar to PARPO-I Gilberto Apilado who was designated PARPO-II for the said province under the same special order.

          Apilado, 55, joined DAR in 1990 as Agricultural Engineer II. He was promoted to Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) for BDCD and was later on designated as PARPO-I.

          Further, Chief of the Program Beneficiaries Development Division Teresita Caballa-Alde, 60, will take the place of Apilado as PARPO-I.

          For a smooth transition, Enciso urged all employees of both provinces to extend to the incoming officials the same support they had given to Monge and Granados during their time. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA)

Clashes Erupts Again, 1 Soldier Killed

 

CAMP GENERAL VICENTE LUKBAN, CATBALOGAN CITY – The 43rd Infantry (We Search) Battalion again clashed with more or less 20 NPA rebels at Barangay Mahayag, Matuguinao, Samar on May 16, 2017 at 9:45 in the morning that resulted to the death of Corporal Renjie P Ada (Inf) PA while undetermined casualty on the enemy’s side. The 15-minute firefight occurred during the combat operation going to the location of the armed group which is according to the concerned villager, asking for assorted foodstuffs and medicines in their area.  

          A pursuit operation is being conducted to track down and apprehend the rebels.  Army units in nearby areas were ordered to conduct checkpoints along possible entries/exits of withdrawals of the enemy and to verify possible accommodation of wounded enemy in nearby hospitals.

            Your Army is sincere in its offer of peace.  We will ensure the personal safety of those who will choose to lay down their arms and peacefully return to their families.  Lay down your arms and return to the comfort of your families and friends.   Live peacefully and take care of your children as they grow and become productive members of the community.

            Massive military operations will be relentless against these lawless elements as long as peace and development in Eastern Visayas region is at stake.

12 year-old boy apprehended while carrying illegal Ammunitions

CAMP GENERAL VICENTE LUKBAN, CATBALOGAN CITY – On May 13, 2017 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, the troops of 803rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade while conducting security patrol in Brgy De Tubang, Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar apprehended a 12-year old boy carrying a half sack of rice that concealed 20 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunitions, three (3) cartridge 7.62 mm, linked for M60 machinegun and two (2) cartridge 5.56 mm linked for K3 machine gun.

After some interview, the child was immediately turned-over to Provincial Social Welfare Development for proper custody and brought to Catarman Provincial Hospital to check his health condition.

This kind of incident is a clear manifestation that the NPA terrorist group violated the International Humanitarian Law stating that children ages 18 below are prohibited to participate in any hostilities and carrying supplies that could merely put their lives into danger.

Maj Gen Raul Farnacio said, “Let us give our children the chance to grow up while peacefully learning from their youthful experiences and contributing in their own unique ways. NPA should stop recruiting and using minors for their illegal activities”,