Philippines: NPA-Leyte Island Launches Counter-ambush Harassment Operation Against 93rd IB
We hereby share an unofficial translation of an Ang Bayan article published by Philippine Revolution Web Central on September 15.
The New People’s Army (NPA)-Leyte Island (Mt. Amandewin Command) launched a counter-ambush and harassment operation against the operating troops of the 93rd IB [Translators note: Infantry Battalion] in Baybay City, Leyte last week. At least four fascist soldiers were killed while several others were wounded.
On September 8, the NPA launched a counter-ambush against soldiers in Barangay Caridad. According to the NPA-Leyte Island, their unit first opened fire against the 93rd IB at around 4:40 PM. One soldier was confirmed to have been eliminated in the encounter.
Meanwhile, Erwin Maceda (Comrade Romnik) was martyred while fighting and defending. Maceda was from Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar, and had served for several years in the BHB in the region. “We are deeply honored by him and thank him for his heroic and selfless service to the revolution and the oppressed masses,” said Comrade Dodong Malaya, spokesperson for the BHB-Leyte Island.
Malaya denied the 93rd IB’s claim that an M16 was confiscated from Maceda. There is also no truth in the 93rd IB conducting the operation based on “tips or information” from local residents.
The military troops are part of broader, focused, and sustained military operations (FSMO) that has mobilized hundreds of troops since May, he said. The operation covers the barangays [Translators note: village] of Baybay City, Ormoc City, Burauen, which have been declared in the Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) category, as well as the municipalities of Albuera, Carigara, and Jaro.
On September 10, the BHB launched a harassment operation against the same unit of the 93rd IB in Barangay Caridad. The Red Combatants closed in and opened fire from about 10 meters away, resulting in the elimination of three soldiers. According to Malaya, the attrition action was their failure to pursue the 93rd IB following the counter-ambush on September 8.
The 93rd IB concealed and denied their defeat. The 8th ID, the operating division in Eastern Visayas, also made every effort to downplay and dismiss the armed clashes that took place, especially since many towns in Leyte were declared SIPS.
“The BHB will continue to struggle on the path of people’s war on the island of Leyte, in the name of Comrade Romnik and all the martyrs of the Philippine revolution, and in the name of the broad masses of the people who continue to suffer under the rotten system,” Malaya said.
