Correspondence reports:
Victorious offensives launched in Eastern Visayas

Basahin ang artikulong ito sa Pilipino

Guerrillas of the New People's Army (NPA) Mt. Amandewin Command in Leyte raided and destroyed the drilling facilities of the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) in Ormoc City on March 26.

The military operation was carried out without firing a single shot. The Red fighters ensured the safety of all of the civilian employees of the PNOC, including the security guards.

The PNOC was punished for not recognizing the authority of the people's revolutionary government, for not complying with its taxation policy, for grabbing land from the people and for not having any program to ensure that their drilling project does not harm the people and the environment.

The NPA confiscated an M16, two shotguns and 17 M203 grenades aside from M16 ammunition. Eight troops of the PNP-Regional Mobile Group who were among those in pursuit of the NPA were killed when the Red fighters ambushed them.

Meanwhile, according to the most recent reports from the Efren Martires Command of the NPA in Eastern Visayas, 13 soldiers of the 34th IB and one policeman were killed in a simultaneous raid on a PNP detachment and ambush on troops of the Philippine Army on March 17 in San Jose de Buan, Samar. AB had earlier reported that three PNP elements were wounded in this tactical offensive.

The Efren Martires Command clarified that the principal target of the offensive was the 34th IB Alpha company because of its brutal record of violating the human rights of the people of Samar. Included among the violations of this enemy unit are the

• Murder of Fulgencio Gabin, 60, in Barangay Gusa, San Jose de Buan on June 6, 2003 and Jossie Cabarles in Barangay Totoringan, Catbalogan on November 25, 2003 for being suspected supporters of the NPA.

• Desecration of the remains of Carlito "Ka Terado" Salingsing, who was beheaded after being killed in an encounter on July 23, 2003 in Barangay Naguma, Calbayog City, Samar.

• Abduction and torture of suspected NPA supporters and beating up of civilians during military operations.

• Forcible use of peasants as workers in military camps.

• Wanton destruction of the masses' crops and killing of their farm animals during military operations.

• Masterminding illegal logging and colluding with illegal loggers in Barangay Buray, Paranas and Catbalogan.

• Leading decadent and anti-social activities, such as gambling, drunkenness and other crimes in barrios near their camps.

The Efren Martires Command also reported that Red fighters prevailed in two defensive actions in Leyte and Eastern Samar.

In Leyte province, nine elements of the 19th IB were killed when the NPA seized the initiative from the soldiers who attacked an NPA camp in Barangay Wague, Leyte town on March 2. A Red fighter was killed in the fighting. The other NPA guerrillas were able to retreat safely.

In Dolores, Eastern Samar, 15 Red fighters of the Lupito Mingote Command were able to get the better of attacking troops from the 14th IB Bravo company on February 18. Five soldiers were killed�two in fighting against the NPA and three in a misencounter with their confused co-soldiers.

07 April 2004
English Edition

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