NPA-EV says 8th Infantry Division at losing end of guerrilla warfare

Jose Sumoroy
Spokesperson
Efren Martires Command
New People's Army-Eastern Visayas
June 15, 2004

For confirmation, contact:
Roy Santos, NDF-EV Media Liaison Officer
Cellphone No. 0918-3112138

The Efren Martires Command (EMC) of the New People�s Army in Eastern Visayas, citing its offensive and defensive actions the previous May, said today that the 8th Infantry Division is at the losing end of the NPA�s guerrilla warfare in the region. �Last May 5, the Orlan Colima Command successfully ambushed a platoon of the 52nd IB�s Alpha Company in Borongan, Eastern Samar,� said EMC spokesperson Jose Sumuroy. �The following day, in San Isidro, Northern Samar, Red fighters of the Rodante Urtal Command whose guerrilla camp was raided instead stunned attacking troops of the 20th IB by fiercely defending themselves and withdrawing without a single casualty. The claim afterwards by Maj. Gen. Glenn Rabonza regarding the said clash that seven NPA fighters were killed is purely a press release victory.�

According to the EMC spokesperson, the 8th ID is so desperate that it is resorting to false claims of victory, as well as wild stories of �NPA sightings� to conceal the fact that it is utterly blind to the maneuvers of the people�s army. Sumuroy added that the 8th ID routinely downplays or hides from public knowledge reports of NPA field victories. �For example, the military is silent on the said May 5 NPA ambush where two soldiers were killed and another wounded in Amentacop, Borongan, Eastern Samar,� Sumuroy explained. �The Red fighters also seized an M14 rifle with 78 bullets, and an M16 rifle with 200 rounds of ammunition.�

Furthermore, the EMC spokesperson said, the NPA could take the initiative even in defensive actions because of their high fighting spirit, iron discipline, mastery of terrain, and the assistance of the peasant masses. �In the May 6 defensive action in Brgy. Palanit, San Isidro, Northern Samar, the NPA were alerted early to the enemy presence and took a superior fighting position to frustrate the Army soldiers,� Sumuroy related. �In fact, the commanding officer of the fascist troops had no regard for the lives of his own men, repeatedly ordering them to assault the NPA position, though the Red fighters clearly had the advantage and were inflicting heavy casualties on the fruitlessly attacking enemy.�

Sumuroy said that the NPA victories pay tribute to the higher fighting capability of the people�s army and the enthusiastic support of the people. �The NPA�s strength in the countryside continues to increase all through these years of counterrevolutionary suppression by martial law, total war and war on terror,� the EMC spokesperson said. �It is because the masses of the people know that a revolutionary army like the NPA is their instrument for national and social liberation and is imbued with high discipline and principles. On the other hand, the people despise the Armed Forces of the Philippines with all its fascist brutality and mercenary character as the reactionary instrument of the foreign and local exploiters and oppressors.� ?

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