THE NEW PEOPLE’S Army (NPA)-Camarines Norte ambushed the operating soldiers of the 902nd IBde on December 12 at Sitio Manlapat, Baay, Labo, Camarines Norte. The soldiers besieged the community which is still reeling from the impact of successive typhoons. Red fighters were able to seize two 9mm calibre Glock pistols and eight backpacks. Two soldiers were wounded.

Surigao del Sur. NPA fighters fired at a CAFGU detachment at Km. 8, Barangay Puyat, Carmen on December 4. Soldiers manning the said detachment are responsible for coercing residents to surrender, and forcibly recruiting male residents into the CAFGU. An enemy trooper was killed.

Samar. The NPA ambushed police troops aboard a mobile in Barangay Logero, Marabut, Samar on December 10. P/Capt. Earl Hembro was killed during the attack. Earlier in October, three soldiers were killed and another was wounded in five harassment operations by the NPA across the island. The offensives targeted the 19th IB and 43rd IB who are currently sowing terror in the barangays of the northern and western part of the island. The attacks were mounted from October 13-24 in the towns of Pambujan and Silvino Lobos in Northern Samar; and in Matuguinao, Samar. Red fighters also encountered a unit of the 19th IB on October 28 in Barangay Nagpapacao, Matuguinao wherein two soldiers were wounded.

Capiz. Two soldiers of the 12th IB were wounded during an NPA offensive at Sitio Buga, Siya, Tapaz in the third week of November. Tapaz residents reported that the 12th IB hamletted the barangay. Residents were forced to surrender and threatened; and barangay officials were coerced to declare the Party and the NPA persona non grata.

Iloilo. A paramilitary element was killed in two successive harassment operations launched by the NPA-Iloilo against a CAFGU detachment at Barangay Pudpud, Miag-ao on November 3 and 4.