BORONGAN CITY — Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone strongly condemned the NPAs involved in the Jipapad incident which killed three lives and wounded six others on July 7, 2021.
In a message, the top provincial official did not mince words in condemning the perpetrators.
“I vehemently condemn the ambush and bombing of unarmed soldiers and CAFGU members by the terrorists NPA in Jipapad, Eastern Samar. This kind of terroristic act will further isolate them from the people. Let’s not be cowed into submission. Let’s continue our efforts to serve truly the people.”
Evardone has strongly supported the Provincial Task Force End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), even venturing into geographically isolated areas for some events.
With the whole-of-nation approach where the civilian government delivers social services to the influenced barangays, the security forces have also advanced to dismantle guerilla fronts in the province.
In a report during the 8th Regional Peace and Order Council Meeting which Gov. Evardone chairs, the army reported that there are already 6 Guerilla Fronts dismantled in E. Visayas, among these, four are officially dismantled while the two still requires paperworks.
While many have surrendered, the province has also organized peace-builders that will help the government convince their rebel-relatives return to the folds of the law.
One such surrenderee, Alyas Roel in a confession said that the rebels are having difficulty in recruiting fresh combatants as the government has gotten nearer and more responsive. (NBQ/PIA-8/Eastern Samar)
