Gov’t scores big time vs NPAs in Eastern Samar

By Ninfa Iluminada Quirante / Philippine Information Agency

BORONGAN CITY – The Philippine Army scored big time as it neutralized 16 NPAs and recovered 29 high-powered firearms in a remote village in Dolores town, Eastern Samar on August 16.

In a virtual press conference on August 17, MGen. Pio Q. Dinoso III, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, said that the camp that the army neutralized was 200 meters long and 60-80 meters wide with a multi-purpose building, a training camp and a factory of landmines.

He added that with the long time they exchanged fires, the NPAs may have then in their midst some leaders which they tried to protect.

The exchange of fire took almost a day, he said as it started at 4 a.m. until the late afternoon.

As to the weapons used, the Commanding General did not necessarily divulged their weapons nor tactical operations saying it is highly classified but said, “We can’t reveal our methods, we have assets and weapons if the need arises, we will use them.”

“We will use them if we think our soldiers are endangered, but these weapons are allowed by the IHL and we will never use anti-personnel landmines.”

At the meeting right after the presscon, Dinoso said there were only 16 dead NPAs, contrary to a newspaper report that said there were 25 dead NPAs.