Military finds NPA camp

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Military forces last week discovered an abandoned New People's Army camp at Sitio Kinabong in Barangay Ig-mayaan of Don Salvador Benedicto town in Negros Occidental.

Lieutenant Colonel Rommel Cordova, commander of the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, said his troops found the NPA camp while they were conducting security operations.

The NPA encampment, which can accommodate 60 rebels, was abandoned few days ago. It has 20 bunkers, four comfort rooms, four kitchens and a mess hall.

"We acknowledge the efforts of the civilian populace of the barangay for giving us the information and for always coordinating with us in ensuring the peaceful environment in their community," Cordova said.

He said the soldiers earlier discovered an abandoned harboring area, in the same barangay, which was believed to have been occupied by the rebels few days ago. The troops recovered one poncho and one sack of rice.

Colonel Jon Aying, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said, "the people of Negros have been denouncing the presence of the NPA that has degenerated into a bandit group, which only focus is to extort food and money from the civilians."

Aying added: "The discovery of these NPA camps is a clear manifestation of the NPA's continuing defeat in Negros. They continue to lose their grounds and their mass base of support."

Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, said, "We continue to reach out to NPA members and ask them to abandon the armed struggle. What the people clearly want now is lasting peace."

A total of 39 NPA camps have been discovered by the troops of the 3ID, from January to November of this year, 24 of which were in Negros while 15 were in Panay.