100 soldiers to go after NPA raiders in Samar

MANILA, Philippines - A hundred Army soldiers have been tasked to run after suspected communist rebels who raided a provincial jail in Eastern Samar last Monday.

Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said the 100 soldiers would come from the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan, Samar.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz has directed Maj. Gen. Mario Chan, 8th ID commander, to hunt down the rebels in coordination with the police, Cabunoc said in a text message. 

Cabunoc condemned the raid, saying such activities could hamper development in the countryside.

“These attacks on government facilities and business establishments show the true color of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front),” he said. 

“Peace and prosperity would be elusive if the rebels’ armed group continues to terrorize our people in the name of a lost cause,” he added.

On Monday morning, 30 suspected NPA guerrillas raided the provincial jail in Oras, Eastern Samar and seized various firearms and belongings of jail guards. Only three jail personnel were on duty during the raid.

Eastern Samar is one of the provinces with a huge concentration of NPA rebels. Other areas heavily influenced by the insurgents are the Bicol provinces, Leyte and parts of the Davao region.