Soldier, NPA rebel killed in Samar, N. Samar clashes

A soldier and a New People’s Army rebel died in separate clashes in Samar and Northern Samar last Sunday, the military reported yesterday.

The Army’s 8th Infantry Division (ID), based in Catbalogan City, Samar, named the slain soldier as SGT. Leo Jabinar, detailed with the Army’s 46th Infantry Battalion.

Capt. Jefferson Mariano, 8th ID spokesman, said Jabinar was among the members of a Mobile Community Support Sustainment Program (MCSSP) team tasked to facilitate the delivery of basic services to Samar residents.

Mariano said the team was conducting a “pulong-pulong” or a dialogue with officials and residents of Barangay Nagbac in Jiabong town in Samar when they were fired upon by NPA rebels.

Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, 8th ID commander, expressed his sympathy to the family of Jabinar.

Ligayo said the death of the Jabinar would not be in vain, saying the military would intensify operations to eradicate the communist problem in the area.

“His sacrifice will be remembered and honored by his comrades and this nation. His heroism and dedication will never be forgotten,” said Ligayo.

Also on Sunday, troops from the Army’s 20th Infantry clashed with NPA rebels in Barangay Hitapi-an in Catubig, Northern Samar.

Mariano said soldiers from the battalion were deployed to the barangay after they received information that a group of rebels was conducting activities in the area.

The rebels, from the Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit, retreated after a 15-minute clash, leaving behind the body of one of their comrades, identified as Lino Pajanusta Norcio, alias Kidlat.

Soldiers also recovered at the encounter site two M16 rifles and an R4 rifle left behind by the rebels.

Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, 20th IB commander, said the battalion is committed to protecting the people of Northern Samar from NPA atrocities.