Another NPA Camp falls, improvised landmines recovered

Just posted to the Samar News Website (Feb 18): Another NPA Camp falls, improvised landmines recovered

By 20th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA

Barangay Magsaysay, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar – Another CPP/NPA camp has been seized by government forces in vicinity Km 11, Barangay Happy Valley, San Isidro, Northern Samar last February 18, 2013 at around 1:05 in the afternoon.

Lieutenant Colonel Noel A Vestuir, 20IB’s Commanding Officer, in his report to 803rd Brigade Commander, Colonel Rolando Malinao, said that as the troops of Bravo Company, 20IB led by Sgt Antonio Seberre while conducting combat patrol in the hinterland barangays of San Isidro, Northern Samar, discovered a newly abandoned NPA encampment with hastily destroyed makeshift posts and bunkers.

According to LTC Vestuir, the said camp was pinpointed after the residents in the nearby barangays informed the troops of the presence of unidentified armed men in the area. As the troops searched the area, they were able to recover the following items: two (2) improvised anti-personnel mines; two (2) meters detonating cord; electric firing wire; one (1) IED switch; one (1) rifle grenade; four (4) back packs, personal belongings and subversive documents.

LTC Vestuir added, that the series of the discovery of NPA camps was a result of the continuing support of the people in the barangays. As can be recalled, already three (3) NPA camp were also seized by 20IB last week in the municipalities of San Isidro, Victoria and Catarman.

According to LTC Vestuir, “the presence of NPAs and the recovery of improvised explosive devices is a clear indication that the terrorist group is planning to conduct atrocities against the peace-loving people in the area that were prevented due to the timely response of the government troops. The use of landmines is a gross violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) wherein the CPP/NPA/NDF are signatories.

Vestuir also calls for the NPAs to surrender. “Considering that the people themselves no longer accept the NPAs in the barangays, it is high time that they shall already spare them of their terroristic activities. With the series of discovery of their camps, it is clear that we have already narrowed the sphere of their influence and it would not be long for our troops to eventually find them. If that would happen, we will not hesitate to use the full might and strength of our forces against them.” Vestuir concluded.

http://www.samarnews.com/news2013/feb/c524.htm