Army recovers two NPA camps in Northern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 14): Army recovers two NPA camps in Northern Samar

Elements of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion based in Catubig, Northern Samar have recovered two abandoned camps of the Communist’s armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) this week.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division based in Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City in Samar said the first camp was discovered on Thursday in the outskirts of Barangay Toog, Lavazares, Northern Samar.

“It was assessed by troops to have been abandoned by the NPAs three weeks ago and it could accommodate 50 people. It has 40 sleeping bunkers, three guard posts, two kitchens and two comfort rooms,” Capt. Gutierrez added.

Gutierrez said the second camp was discovered in July 12 at the vicinity of Barangay Luisita, Victoria town also in Northern Samar.

“The second NPA camp could accommodate seven people. It was assessed to have been hastily vacated by the NPAs a day or two before it was discovered owing to the fresh signs of habitation in the camp’s periphery and military uniforms and civilian clothing,” the Army official said.

“While the focus of 8ID is to deliver community services to the people through its Bayanihan Teams, your soldiers will continue to defend the people against the NPAs who continue to extort, intimidate and worst, even kill those who oppose them,” he added.

Meanwhile, troops from Pinamurutan CAA Detachment led by Sgt. Charito L. Villamor of 52nd IB (CAFGU) encountered around 30 NPA last Friday in Barangay Mabini, Calbayog City.

The band of NPA insurgents was led by a certain Dado Baldonado, alias “Totoy,” an NPA leader operating in Samar.

Sgt. Villamor and 16 CAA were doing their regular security patrol when concerned civilians reported to them of NPAs’ presence in Barangay Mabini and were demanding food stuff from the people.

The troops responded to the information and when they got near in the NPAs’ reported location, they were fired upon, and a 25-minute fire fight ensued.

Troops recovered one home–made shotgun that was left by the NPAs when troops were advancing towards their position.

There was no reported casualty on the government side, while the NPAs suffered several casualties as reported by civilians who saw the NPAs carrying their wounded comrades.

Follow up operations are on-going as of press time to flush out the NPAs from their hideouts.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=544031