At least 18 soldiers under the 8th ID were killed and five were wounded in a series of tactical offensives by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Northern and Western Samar last June to August.

Among those killed were five troopers of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion (SRB), one of the “elite” forces most recently deployed in the region to “completely defeat” the people’s army.

In Northern Samar, five consecutive harassment operations were conducted by the people’s army in Silvino Lobos and Las Navas. Five armed offensives were also launched by Red fighters in Matuguinao, Western Samar.

Meanwhile, in Southern Leyte, the NPA-Leyte Island recently reported thwarting a raid by the 14th IB that took place in April and fascist retaliatory measures by the military unit in civilian communities. The NPA armed offensive killed two military agents and confiscated two .45 caliber pistols, and three cell phones.

These operations were launched amid focused military operations of the 8th ID with hundreds of fascist troopers using advanced weaponry such as helicopters, drones and others.