Alleged NPA, aide killed in Northern Samar

June 21, 2020

An alleged New People's Army (NPA) member and his aide were neutralized in a law enforcement  operation in Northern Samar on Saturday.


Capt. Reynaldo Aragones Jr., spokesman of the 8th Infantry Division, said the  fatalities were Zaldy Meraya alias Podyot and Bato, finance officer of squad 1, Front Committee 15, Sub-Regional Committee Arctic and his aide Bebe Tobino alias Kidlat and Lawin, member of squad 1, Sandatahang Unit Pampropaganda  Platoon, FC15, SRC Arctic.

He said Meraya  is responsible for  extortion targeting government infrastructure projects and business establishments in the towns of Northern Samar.


Aragones said the armed men were neutralized by elements of 803rd Infantry Brigade's Team Peacemaker and Northern Samar Police Mobile Force Company during an interagency law enforcement operation at the vicinity of Brgy. Bagacay, Palapag, Northern Samar.


"A brief armed engagement ensued when the CNTs (communist terrorists) fired upon the government troops who were about to serve a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Decoroso Turla dated May 11, 2020 with Criminal Case Number 5712 for multiple attempted murder," he said.


The law enforcement operation was launched as an offshoot to the encounter between 20th Infantry Battalion and NPA at the vicinity of Sitio Cag-anibong of same barangay on June 14, 2020 where a combat tracking conducted by the pursuing troops led them towards the safe house of alias Podyot, he added.

Aragones said troops recovered two cal.45 pistols, one Acer laptop, 12 assorted cellular phones, three flash drives and documents.

 

Col. Lowell Tan, commander of the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade emphasized that the neutralization of Meraya will lessen if not totally stop  extortion activities. Robina Asido/DMS