131 NPA camps in EV already seized by soldiers

From the Leyte Samar Daily Express (Feb 14): 131 NPA camps in EV already seized by soldiers

The armed group of the communist organization, New People’s Army, committed 374 violent incidents which have caused the death of 53 civilians in the country or one civilian in a week, the military reported yesterday.

The Public Affairs Office of the AFP reported that 10 of these incidents were committed this January, the latest of which occurred in a mountain village in La Castellana town, Negros Occidental killing ten innocent civilians and wounding nine others.

In total, the NPA killed 81 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, eight from the Philippine National Police and 22 CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA).

For its part, the AFP reported to have successfully neutralized 555 NPA personalities in 2012 of which 367 voluntarily surrendered to the government and seizure of hundred of its revolutionary hideouts. In January 2013, 21 NPAs were neutralized, 19 of which voluntarily surrendered.

AFP chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said the AFP would never waiver in its commitment to thwart NPA atrocities and armed violence until just and lasting peace and stability for our country is achieved. Despite this incident, the AFP will remain supportive of the peace efforts and peace-building undertakings of the government.

“We will continue to intensify our focused security operations against armed rebels who continue to wage armed violence causing loss of innocent lives, destruction of properties, and damage to vital economic facilities and infrastructures,” Bautista said.

In Eastern Visayas alone, a total of 131 NPA camps were already seized and discovered by the military troops. Eight camps were recovered with enemy resistance and 123 of the camps were seized without enemy resistance.

The latest of which happened last February 9 where elements of the 20th Infantry Battalion have seized another NPA hideaway in Barangay Happy Valley, San Isidro, Northern, Samar.

“The NPA camp has one big function hall made of Nipa hut, some fifteen (15) makeshift bunkers that can accommodate more or less 20 communist terrorists, two (2) advance outposts,” said Lieutenant Colonel Noel Vestuir, commanding officer of the 20IB, in a press statement.

Also recovered from the scene were a jungle pack, jungle hammock, leftist book entitled “Pag Aradman han mga Aktibista (Activist’s Journal),” a poncho, two magazines for cal .45 pistol with eight live ammunitions and two empty shells, among others.

“We would like to commend the populace for always coordinating with us and denounces the presence of the NPAs who conduct extortion activities not only to businessmen but to ordinary farmers and populace in the area,” Vestuir added.

Meanwhile, Major Gen. Gerardo Layug, commander of the 8th Infantry Division in Catbalogan City, said the discovery of several NPA camps is a clear manifestation that the NPA in Samar provinces is losing ground and influence over the people which will eventually lead to their downfall and collapse.

“The 8ID is currently intensifying its efforts in securing our communities against all forms of armed threats through sustained security operations and constant coordination and linkages with the stakeholders through the spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ in attaining peace throughout the region,” Layug added.

http://leytesamardaily.net/2013/02/131-npa-camps-in-ev-already-seized-by-soldiers/