Army inflicts another setback to NPA

From the Manila Times (Feb 20): Army inflicts another setback to NPA

ANOTHER major camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of northern Samar province had been seized by government forces following security operations that also led to the recovery of landmines and explosive devices.

Lt. Col. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Eighth Infantry Division (ID), 10th Infantry Battalion (IB), on Tuesday, said that the recovery of explosive devices was a clear indication that the Maoist rebels was planning to conduct terror attacks against government forces and civilians in the area.

“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 government troops,” Vestuir said.

The military officer also pointed out that the use of landmines is a gross violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, wherein the militants are signatories.

The seized communist rebel camp was located in Barangay Happy Valley, San Isidro in Samar. It was discovered by government troops on Monday after they received information from civilians on the presence of unidentified armed men in the area.

Recovered were two improvised antipersonnel mines, detonating cords, electric firing wire, improvised explosive device switch, a rifle grenade, four backpacks, personal belongings and subversive documents.

Vestuir said that the rebels hastily destroyed the bunkers and other facilities in the camp before they left to evade the responding elements of the 20th Infantry.

Capt. Gene Orense, spokesman of the Eighth Infantry Division, said that had the soldiers failed to arrive on time, the rebels may have been able to carry out their terror plans that could have caused unmitigated damages to life and property.

“The leadership of Eight ID commends this life-saving accomplishment of 20th IB troops headed by Lt. Col. Vestuir for foiling another terrorist attack through the recovery of these landmines,” Orense said.

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/41835-army-inflicts-another-setback-to-npa