8th ID soldiers overrun NPA camp in Samar town

CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines  – An NPA encampment at Barangay Hagbay in San Jose De Buan town of Samar was overrun by troops of the 87th Infantry Battalion last week.

The 87th IB, headed by Lt. Col. Cerilo Balaoro, is under the 801st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division.

Reports said that the soldiers of the 87th IB, led by 2nd Lt. Vermiel Semblante, discovered the rebels’ camp after they got into an encounter with an undetermined number of rebels earlier that day.

The camp consisted of three makeshift bunkers and one makeshift hall, which can accommodate about 20 people.

After the firefight, the soldiers recovered M16 rifle magazines with live ammunitions, assorted medicines, and documents classified as subversive in nature.

Brigadier Gen. Gerardo Layug, commander of the 8th ID, said the Philippine Army “will continue to intensify its security operations against this lawless group in order to ensure the safety of our people and pursue development efforts in every community in the region.”

Layug also enjoined NPA members to lay down their arms and submit themselves through peaceful means and then join the government in all peace and development efforts.   -Lt. Col. Alvin Lagamon, 8th ID  - THE FREEMAN