Army: NPAs losing ground in Samar

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 5): Army: NPAs losing ground in Samar

Major Gen Gerardo T Layug AFP, commander of 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army said the NPA is losing ground.

“The discovery of several NPA camps is a clear manifestation that the NPA in the Samar provinces is losing ground literally and losing their influence over the people which eventually will lead to their downfall and collapse.”

Based on a press statement by Capt Gene Orense, composite teams from the 20th Infantry Battalion, 803rd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army led by 1Lt Florencio Tayo while conducting security operations discovered an abandoned NPA camp in the hinterlands of Barangay Luisita, Victoria, Northern Samar, Monday February 4.

“The discovered NPA camp was believed to have been abandoned by the NPAs four days ago,” said Ltc Noel A Vestuir, commander of the 20th IB.

“We commend Barangay Victoria for always coordinating with us in ensuring peace in their area; the community strongly denounces the presence of the NPAs conducting extortion activities not only to businessmen but to ordinary farmers and populace in the area,” added Vestuir.

The 8th ID is intensifying its efforts in securing communities against all forms of armed threats through sustained security operations and constant coordination and linking up with the stakeholders through the spirit of "Bayanihan" to attain peace throughout the region, added Layug.

To recall, on January 30, military troops from Charlie Company, 34th Infantry Battalion led by 1Lt Harold Bryan Llandado discovered NPA abandoned harboring site near Sitio Cagutsan, Rombang, Laoang, Northern Samar which could accommodate around 50 NPAs.

Then again on January 26, troops of Alpha Company of 20th Infantry Battalion, 8th ID headed by 1Lt Raul Delos Santos also discovered an abandoned NPA camp at Sitio Catmaalad, Mckinly, Catarman, Northern Samar.

And another NPA camp near Sitio Cagutsan, Rombang, Laoang, Northern Samar was seized by troops from Alpha Company, 34th Infantry Battalion, 8th ID under 2Lt. Glenn De Ramos.

The army reported that 131 NPA camps were seized/discovered by the military troops.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1221360033776