Army overruns NPA camp in Sultan Kudarat

DAVAO CITY , Philippines   – Elements of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion overran over the weekend an important encampment of the New People’s Army’s Guerrilla Front 76, Far South Mindanao Region in Sitio Lahak, Barangay Sinapulan, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

According to the 10th Infantry Division public affairs office, the government troops, led by Lt Dante Jimenez, recovered high-powered firearms after ensuing clashes that lasted for three-and-a-half hours on Sunday morning.

The said encampment was reportedly located as a result of the revelation of a former NPA rebel of the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit, FSMR who surrendered on July 15 to the 27th IB troops.

While one soldier was wounded, identified as a certain Pfc. Rolan Salibio, Army officials insisted the rebels carried with them their injured comrades as they fled the area.

Items recovered from the NPA camp were an M16 and two M14 rifles, two rigged clamor mines, one Motorola radio, 46 combat packs with personal items, assorted medical kits and documents of high intelligence value.

The rebels were said to have been caught unaware of the troops’ presence.

“About 50 rebels were in a formation and performing manual of arms with their NPA leaders Loida Magpatoc alias Gwen, Manuel Fernandez alias Bobo and Noel Legaspi alias Jeffrey,” according to Lt. Col. Joshua Santiago, commander of 27IB based in Tupi, South Cotabato.

Government troops are conducting pursuit operations against the rebels while the Tactical Operations Group XI (TOG XI) of the Philippine Air Force is also extending air support to the soldiers.