Correspondence Reports:
The story behind the raid in Oras, Eastern Samar

Basahin ang artikulong ito sa Pilipino

On June 26, NPA Red fighters shocked the enemy in an astounding assault on a detachment of the 52nd IB in Barangay Cagpili, Oras, Eastern Samar. Ten CAFGU elements and five soldiers were killed and two were wounded in the raid. Twenty-five firearms were seized: an M203 grenade launcher, seven M16s, five M14s, nine Garands, two carbines and a .45 pistol. The Red fighters also confiscated 2,225 rounds of ammunition, communication equipment, knapsacks and uniforms, and other military and office equipment. The following article based on correspondance reports from Eastern Visayas relates the significant facts behind the successful raid in Oras, especially about the breadth and depth of mass support for the armed struggle. It likewise rectifies the lies propagated by the AFP about the assault:

The NPA took advantage of the enemy�s frame of mind. In the attack plan they drew, the Red fighters positioned their main support element (base of fire no. 1) on the opposite hill as a diversionary force and to provide cover for the main assault force and the second support element (base of fire no. 2). According to the plan, the NPA would seize the detachment�s weakest point first and convert this into the Red fighters� second base of fire in order to gradually seize enemy positions in the middle and opposite end where the defense was strongest.

By 4:30 AM, the time set for the attack, deafening bursts of machine gun and rifle fire from the NPA�s main support element shattered the early morning silence. From afar, the Red fighters moved towards the second support element and the main assault force to take their designated positions.

The flares fired by the fascist enemy to enable them to see the guerrillas closing in on them glowed like fireballs. The Red fighters crawled up the steep and muddy hill where the detachment was positioned. Their advance was made more difficult by the detachment�s strong double wooden fence reinforced with wire. They later had to pull out the fence and lift it to allow comrades to crawl underneath while most of the others went in through the stairs and the gate to the detachment.

After an almost unremitting exchange of gunfire, the Red fighters overran the targetted end of the enemy position. The second support element quickly took position to concentrate its fire on the enemy�s middle position, which was already being attacked by the assault force.

The Red fighters discovered that the detachment�s defenses were much better than they knew. There were more barracks�19, instead of the 15 that they had known of�and there was a system of running foxholes that linked the barracks all the way to the enemy�s main area of defense facing the opposite hill. Nevertheless, the Red fighters fought for control over each of the barracks, until they were able to seize even the enemy�s middle position and encircle the remaining soldiers and CAFGU elements on the far end position. The wounded soldiers surrendered and the detachment was overrun after about an hour and forty-five minutes.

The NPA treated the wounded �Mary Jane Canonigo, the wife of one of the fallen soldiers and one Pfc. Nadera.

Masses� decisive role. The peasant masses and militia units played a decisive role throughout most of the NPA�s tactical offensive. Members of mass organizations in Northern and Eastern Samar were mobilized for the operation and up to 97 militia members took part in and supported the tactical offensive in various ways.

Members of mass organizations ensured the smooth flow of food and other supplies to the large number of Red fighters from various guerrilla units that assembled for the tactical offensive. They had spent several days at their position while awaiting the date of the raid, but their presence was never detected. The peasant masses served as the NPA�s eyes and ears, while the fascist military remained deaf and blind to the Red fighters� movements.

Militia members directly participated in the raid, from the planning stage to its actual execution to the retreat. They delivered food to the comrades up to their retreat position, carried explosives and other ordnance, and attended to and transported the wounded comrades after the fighting. One of them helped the Red fighters in manning the machine gun, while ten of them supported the medical team. The others cleared the footprints left behind by the Red fighters.

While the flames charred the demolished enemy camp, the Red fighters safely traversed the river. Their pumpboats passed several barrios, where the peasant masses gathered by the riverbanks to salute them and hail the victorious tactical offensive. After the echoes of gunfire, it was the peasants� jubilations that reverberated throughout the river�s length: �Long live the NPA! Long live the victorious offensive!�

21 October 2003
English Edition

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