The New People’s Army (NPA)-Leyte Island (Mt. Amandewin Command) refuted the 14th IB and 802nd IBde statement claiming that they confiscated a rifle, ammunition, and military equipment from the NPA on October 15 in Barangay Caraye, Javier, Leyte. According to the people’s army, the statement is false. The truth is that the people’s army attacked a unit of the 14th IB that was operating in the area that day.

From five meters away, an NPA-Leyte Island unit opened fire, inflicting many casualties among the Marcos regime butchers. The NPA unit released its statement ahead of 14th IB and 802nd IBde lies.

“More tanim-baril!(planting of guns as evidence) First, the fascist military did not report on their defensive against the NPA for 24 hours. They released false information of a rifle the NPA allegedly left behind only when news of their defeat spread,” NPA-Leyte Island spokesperson Ka Dodong Malaya said.

He added, “They even bothered to take photos of an old rifle and some equipment. They only ended up looking more desperate and ridiculous.”

Meanwhile, the 14th IB treacherously and cowardly retaliated against the people of Barangay Caraye following their defeat. They placed the barangay under hamlet and imposed strict and repressive policies. “This is precisely why the NPA will continue to persevere. The military’s oppression of the masses drives them to join the people’s war,’ Ka Dodong responded.

Apart from Javier, the 14th IB and 802nd IBde have placed many towns in Leyte under focused and sustained military operations (FSMO), severely burdening the peasant masses and community residents. Military rule has been imposed in MacArthur, Abuyog, Mahaplag, Baybay, Albuera, Ormoc, and Burauen in Leyte, as well as in neighboring Sogod in Southern Leyte since August 15.

In the communities, fascist soldiers summon the masses to assemblies to threaten life imprisonment if they give the NPA even a pinch of salt or a handful of rice. They also forcibly demand the surrender of firearms that villagers use for hunting and livelihood.

The military’s FSMOs continue despite its declaration that 17 towns and cities of Leyte, and seven in Southern Leyte, are under Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) or insurgency-free status.