Eight members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with government troops in Sitio Burak, Barangay Alimodias, Miagao, Iloilo on Wednesday morning, Dec. 1.

According to Brigadier General Marion Sison, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, the bodies of the still unidentified rebels were found after the “intermittent firefight,” which lasted for about seven hours.

The 61st Infantry Batallion (61IB) and 31st Division Recon Company (31DRC) initially recovered three M16 rifles, one AK47 rifle, four anti-personnel mines, three detonators, one projector, subversive documents and assorted personal belongings of “communist NPA terrorists (CNTs).”

Sison claimed that they have “prevented” the plan of the CNTs to attack a military patrol base in Miagao.

He said the government forces launched a military operation after they received information from “concerned citizens” that the rebels believed to be members of Suyak, Sentro de Grabedad (SDG) Platoon, Southern Front (SF)-Panay have been planning to carry out “terroristic attacks and extortion activities.”

“The cooperation of every stakeholder is vital to preventing the terror plans of the CNTs.We call on CNT members to return to the government fold and stop being used as instruments of terror by their deceptive leaders. Abandon the senseless armed struggle which has victimized innocent civilians. Live a peaceful life together with your families and loved ones,” said Sison.

“As we welcome the Yuletide Season, the importance of family is never more apparent. Umuwi na kayo sa inyong mga tahanan at mamuhay ng mapayapa kasama ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Huwag na kayong magpagamit sa mga mapalinlang na mga teroristang NPA. Ang gobyerno ay narito upang matulungan kayo,” he further said.

Meanwhile, Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said they are “determined to employ all of our military assets to wipe the CNTs out from the communities.”

“With the people on our side, we are committed to persistently pressing the communist-terrorists on the brink of downfall to end their decades-long cruelty finally.”IMT