Las navas: Top leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas are among those killed in recent clashes between government troops and rebels in Las Navas, Northern Samar, the Philippine Army (PA) said on Monday. Former rebels have identified seven out of the eight rebels killed during two clashes in the mountains of San Isidro village on July 31.

According to Philippines News Agency, the slain NPA members were Richard Jumadiao (alias Joban), leader of sub-regional guerilla unit Laysan of the NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC); Edgar Baselga (alias Ali), squad 1 leader of the regional guerilla unit (RGU); alias Berbon, vice squad leader; and Jinky Senobio (alias Sinag); Marciano Pecayo (alias Lakay); alias Desoy; and alias Rico, all members of the RGU under EVRPC. The PA stated that multiple cases of atrocities in Northern Samar have been linked to Jumadiao and his group, including a series of ambuscades, extortion, radicalization of civilians, and jeopardizing government projects and initiatives to bring peace and sustainable development in the region.

Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the PA 8th Infantry Division, emphasized the army’s commitment to treat the deceased with dignity, working closely with local government units to notify and assist the families of the deceased in claiming the remains. The operation was launched after a concerned civilian reported extortion activities and threats against farmers by a group of armed men in the area, known as an NPA stronghold.

Following the clashes, soldiers recovered several firearms, including five M16 rifles, two R4 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, a K3 light machine gun, and an M16 rifle. Brig. Gen. Carmelito Pangatungan, commander of the PA 803rd Infantry Brigade, praised Northern Samar residents for their support in the government’s anti-insurgency efforts, noting that the recent encounters in Barangay San Isidro, Las Navas, underscore the commitment to protect the region from NPA threats and extortion activities.