A POLICEMAN was killed following an encounter with suspected members of the terrorist group New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar on Saturday, July 16, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday, July 18, 2022.In a report reaching Camp Crame, the fatality was identified as Patrolman Mark Monge, 28, who was assigned at the 804th Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8.The report stated that troops were conducting combat operations in the boundary of Barangay San Nicolas in San Jose De Buan town and Barangay Mabuhay in Gandara where they encountered around 10 members of the terrorist group.The firefight lasted for about five minutes, with the NPA members withdrawing from the scene.In another report, the police said the troops were conducting “humanitarian activity” when they were “ suddenly fired upon by the CTG (communist terrorist group) members from nowhere.”“With the death of Pat Monge, we, in the PNP strongly condemn such treacherous act made by CTG members. We will not cease in chasing the perpetrators. The CTG is one of the roots of poverty in the hinterland areas of Eastern Visayas, and this has to end. We will be more intensified in our campaign against insurgency,” Eastern Visayas Police Chief Brigadier General Bernard Banac said.In his speech during the flag raising ceremony in Camp Crame on Monday, PNP officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. said the policemen were distributing ayuda (financial assistance) simultaneously with the conduct of a medical mission in the area when they were “ambushed.”Danao condemned the incident, as he reiterated strong disapproval of the possible revival of peace talks with the rebel group, as well as the granting of amnesty.On Friday, July 15, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) said it recommended to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos to offer amnesty to members of the NPA.“Nakakaiyak lang. Hindi naman sana anti-criminality operation ‘yung ginawa ng mga bata doon. They are there to give assistance to the poorest of the poor pero unfortunately you ambushed them,” he said.“O tapos you are now talking about peace talks. Anong klaseng peace talks yan. Alam niyo kung puwede lang baligtarin ang gobyerno, ako ang aambush mismo sa inyo sa totoo lang. Nakakasama ng loob. Our people there are trying to give assistance to those who are in need, medical assistance in whatever capacity that they can do pero unfortunately, (someone sacrificed his life again),” he added.For her part, National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos earlier disagreed with the revival of the peace talks with the CTG. (SunStar Philippines)