A New People’s Army camp was captured by the 49th Infantry Battalion on Monday at Sitio Palale, Barangay Exciban, Labo, Camarines Norte, following a firefight between 25 soldiers of the Philippine Army (PA) and 20 NPA members.
Two soldiers were wounded during the hour-and-a-half firefight, said Lt. Michael Buhat, commanding officer of the 49IB.
Buhat identified them as Pfc. Dexter O. Debil and Pfc. Donhel A. Catangay.
“My troops were conducting a security patrol for an Army Bayanihan Team pulong pulong in a nearby barangay when they chanced at what turned out to be a rebel camp,” Buhat said.
The battalion commanding officer said they found bunkers equipped with huts and bleachers, and scattered food items.
Maj. Angelo Guzman, 9ID spokesman, said, “The NPA in Bicol has been weakened in terms of number and firearms. Their leaders in Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Camarines Norte have already surrendered. Frequent encounters do not mean they are strong because the government initiated counter-offensives against the rebels.”
“Since the arrest of Camarines Norte top NPA leader Nancy Ortega on February 5, stricter security measures for the Bayanihan teams were being implemented as the NPAs make desperate attacks to avenge the arrest of their leader,” said Col. Ricardo Lagrana, commanding officer of the 902nd Infantry Brigade in Tulay na Lupa, Camarines Norte.
“The camp is a good staging point for attacks on our soldiers especially since our Bayanihan Teams are deployed in adjacent communities,” said Lagrana who asked for additional troops to pursue the rebels.
A medical evacuation team picked up the wounded soldiers at the designated casualty evacuation point, said Guzman.
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