PIA Press Release
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 803rd Brigade divulge triumph against insurgencyCATARMAN, Northern Samar, Jan 20 (PIA) -– Col. Oscar Lopez, Commanding Officer of 803rd Philippine Army based in Catarman, Northern Samar, presented their accomplishments during the recent Northern Samar Peace and Development Forum. Their combat and non-combat operation initiatives during the past year resulted in positive results. Lopez said combat operation initiatives included 35 encounters resulting in the recovery of 26 firearms broken down into 10 high powered and 16 low powered firearms with no losses on the government side. They also discovered 86 abandoned camps and seized nine inhabited enemy camps to include a regional camp at the tri-boundary of the three Samar provinces. Lopez also cited the Brigade’s non-combat ventures in 36 barangays resulting in the discovery of a number of insurgency-exploited issues in conflict-affected barangays. Following this aggressive persuasion of 803rd brigade and the firm resolve of the provincial governor to bring peace, progress, and development in the area, the province Northern Samar enacted two provincial ordinances incorporated into the Local Social Integration Program for former rebels and their auxiliaries in identified conflict areas. Apart from these, a provincial joint peace and security coordinating center has been established to synchronize peace and security operations in partnership with the 803rd Brigade and the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO). In effect, 22 joint offensive operations were conducted against the enemy and handled six joint live rehearsals for the defense of municipal stations, Lopez reported. These proactive measures, according to Lopez, served as effective deterrence against enemy raids and attacks. Further, Lopez said, together with PNP and other stakeholders, the 803rd Brigade has achieved significant milestones for the period in review. The Philippine Army in the area had reduced the enemy’s capability, prevented them from establishing permanent bases, kept them on the run, and denied them of their logistical bases, and most of all, the 803rd Brigade have denied the enemy from conducting a major tactical offensive in Northern Samar. (PIA8-Northern Samar) |
