New People鈥檚 Army | 黑料社 file photo
TACLOBAN CITY 鈥� A ranking officer of the New People鈥檚 Army (NPA) was killed in a firefight with government troopers in Barangay Cawayan, Catbalogan City, Samar on Dec. 13, the Philippine Army reported on Sunday.
The fatality was identified as Artemio Solayao who served as leader of Squad 2, Yakal Platoon under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, the Philippine Army said.
The 15-minute聽encounter forced the NPA rebels to retreat northwest, leaving behind their slain comrade and a .45 caliber pistol, according to the 8th Infantry Division (ID) based in Catbalogan City.
Solayao had multiple warrants of arrest for various crimes, including the 2014 ambush of the 14th IB in Barangay Maypadandan in Catbalogan City.
Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th ID, hailed the operation as a major victory in the campaign against insurgency in Eastern Visayas.
鈥淭his incident could have been avoided if the Communist Terrorist Group had surrendered and embraced the government鈥檚 call for peace,鈥� his statement reads.
Orio emphasized the Army鈥檚 commitment to ending the insurgency in Samar provinces.
He urged active NPA members to take advantage of the government鈥檚 National Amnesty Program by coordinating with their relatives or local officials to ensure a safe and formal process of surrendering.
鈥淲e will remain steadfast in protecting our people and eliminating threats to peace,鈥� Orio said.