3 die in North Samar encounter; 11 NPAs wounded

Tacloban City (October 13) — Three NPA members were killed and another 11 members were wounded in the morning of October 11 encounter between the troops of the 63rd Infantry Brigade and the NPA bandit group under Billy Morado alias Opal, 8th ID spokesman Lt. Colonel Armand Rico informed.

It was learned that the army troops under the command of Lt. Joash Pramis was conducting security operations at the forested area of Barangay Hibunawan in the municipality of Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar, when they chanced upon the more or less 50-member NPA group.

After about 30-minute gunfight, the NPA group withdrew and scampered in the South-West directions, dragging along three dead comrades and about 11 wounded members.

The 8 army troopers who were wounded in action, were brought to the Camp Lucban hospital through helicopter, and are now in stable condition, Lt. Col. Rico disclosed.

Pursuit operation is currently being conducted, Lt. Colonel Rico added, as he reiterated that the Philippine Army in the Region is determined to combat insurgency in order to bring forth true peace and development in Region 8.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the military and the police to end the communist insurgency, by 2010. Insurgency remains a problem in Eastern Visayas, notably in the provinces of Samar island.

Silvino Lobos, a 5th class municipality comprising of 26 barangays, can be reached by motorboat or banca via Pambujan River. Its cool and soothing climate which is comparable to Baguio, deemed it as the summer capital of Northern Samar. (PIA [