ONE member of the terrorist New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP-NPA) was killed during an encounter between elements of the 63rd ‘Innovator’ Battalion, 8TH Infantry ‘Stormtroopers’ Division and remnants of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Sesame, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) at the height of Super Typhoon ‘Tino’s’ onslaught in Eastern Samar.
In a statement, Major Oscarito Tobias, 8TH ID Public Affairs Chief, said the clash took place in the hinterlands of Llorente and Gen. MacArthur, Eastern Samar last November 3, and resulted to the death of one terrorist.
Tobias identified the casualty as one Joel Bobonao, aka, ‘Pen/Jack,’ adding soldiers also recovered one .45 caliber pistol with ammunition, magazines of various firearms, and other personal belongings.
He added Bobonao’s companions immediately scampered away and fled in disarray leaving him behind.
8ID Commander Major General Adonis Ariel G. Orio reiterated his call for the remaining members of the CPP-NPA in Eastern Samar to surrender so they can have a fresh start in life.
Orio also assured that incidents like the above would not stop his command from assisting communities affected by natural disasters and calamities as he ordered its full mobilization for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HDAR) operations.