ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Soldiers of the 82nd Infantry Battalion, on All Saints’ Day, overran an abandoned New People’s Army camp in Leon town of Iloilo following an encounter last October 27 that also left PFC John Philip Durana dead.
According to Major Enrico Gil Ileto, spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division, a squad of soldiers from the 82nd IB’s Bravo Company was conducting follow-up combat operations when they discovered an NPA encampment last November 1.
Situated behind mountainous terrain, thick vegetation and trees, the camp was believed to be occupied by the top regional NPA personalities in Panay Island. The camp could be reached through hours of walk from the nearest barangay roads of Bucari, Danao and Cagay in Leon. It has several foxholes, kitchens, and three makeshift classrooms and a water supply.
“We believe it was a training camp. We owe this discovery of the camp to the people who we serve especially those in the hinterlands,” said 82nd IB commander Lt. Col. Aldwine Almase. (FREEMAN)