Army seizes NPA camp

OZAMIZ CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion on Feb. 11 captured a New People’s Army camp in Siayan, Zamboanga del Sur following a firefight with at least 30 rebels, killing one of them, according to a military report.

Lt. Colonel Samuel Gayongorsa, commanding officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division said that the Bravo and Charlie Company encountered at least 30 NPA guerillas in Sitio Masamaya, Barangay Pangi, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte where a firefight occured that killed at least one unidentified NPA rebel. No casualties or wounded was reported on the government side.

Gayongorsa said the NPA camp is headed by one Romanito Sumasay, also known as Kumander Guzman of the Western Mindanao regional front who escaped with his men after their camp was overran by government troops.

The NPA camp showed at least 25 bunkers, beds, lecture hall and subersive documents. – Lino de la Cruz