Troops seize 2 NPA camps in Visayas

Two camps of the New People’s Army (NPA) have been seized by Army troops in separate operations in Northern Samar and Iloilo.

Lt. Col. Noel Vestuir, chief of the Army’s 20th battalion, said their combat operations have forced the rebels to abandon their camp in barangay Buenasuerte in Victoria, Northern Samar.

The soldiers, however, failed to capture the insurgents, who are said to be involved in extortion activities. 

“(The) Army has preempted NPA extortion activities in the areas of Northern Samar after they have successfully driven the armed groups away from the populace in the area,” Vestuir said on Wednesday.

“Through the relentless conduct of massive and sustained combat operations, the government troops has dislodged the presence of armed NPA bandits that was reportedly extorting money from the populace,” he added.

The abandoned NPA camp was discovered by soldiers last Tuesday at around 11: 20 a.m.

The camp has 30 bunkers that can accommodate about 60 communist rebels, a kitchen and a bathroom.

Vestuir said the camp was abandoned by the insurgents to evade the pursuing soldiers.

“Although we were not able to catch them, we have prevented them from staging their terrorist activities,” he said.

Meanwhile, troops from the 82nd Infantry Battalion and the 31st Division Reconnaissance Company discovered an NPA camp in Tubungan, Iloilo last Monday.

Maj. Roy Tiongson, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd division, said the camp has an area of about 200 square meters and has a water source.

The camp was discovered while troops were conducting security patrols in the area. Recovered from the camp were a generator, radios, digital cameras, mobile phones, extension wires, gasoline and some documents.

“Our continuous security patrols in the areas and the inability of the NPA leadership to control their splintered groups have made the enemy on the run,” said Lt. Col. Aldwine Almase, chief of the 82nd battalion.

Col. Arnold Quiapo, chief of the Army forces in Panay, said the discovery of the camp was made possible by the tips of ordinary citizens.

For his part, Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commander of the Army’s 3rd division, called on the rebels to abandon the armed struggle and to live peaceful lives. – Alexis Romero with Catalina Madarang