Top NPA Leader Slain in Eastern Samar Military Operation

TACLOBAN CITY: In a significant development in Eastern Samar, a senior leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed during a clash with the Philippine Army. The encounter took place in an upland village of Borongan City, marking a notable event in the ongoing conflict between the government and the NPA.

According to Philippines News Agency, The Philippine Army identified the deceased as Martin Colima, known by the alias Moki. Colima was the secretary of the sub-regional committee (SRC) Sesame of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee. According to a statement released by the military late Saturday, the clash occurred around noon when soldiers engaged with a group of approximately 10 rebels in Barangay San Gabriel, a remote area.

Lt. Col. Allan Tria, commander of the Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion, stated that the operation was a response to civilian reports of NPA activities in the area, including extortion and potential attacks on members of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit and former rebels. “Details of their locations, movements, and activities revealed by the civilians provided our patrolling troops a chance to track their location, which resulted in an encounter that killed Colima,” Tria explained. The troops also recovered a caliber .45 pistol and seven backpacks at the encounter site.

The military noted that Colima was the mastermind and one of the perpetrators behind an ambush on a major highway in Libuton village, Borongan City, on December 13, 2019, which resulted in the deaths of a policeman and three civilians, and injuries to 12 others, including three minors.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, expressed sorrow over Colima’s death, calling him ‘another fellow Filipino,’ and urged his family to provide a decent burial. Vestuir also commented on the potential impact of Colima’s death on the NPA, suggesting it could lead to a loss of direction and demoralization among its fighters in the region.

The Philippine Army reiterated its call for remaining NPA members to cease their armed struggle and return to their communities peacefully. The areas around Borongan City have historically been known as centers of NPA activities in Samar Island.