Army seize 5th NPA camp in Northern Samar

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 29): Army seize 5th NPA camp in Northern Samar

The 34th Infantry Battalion, 803rd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (PA) has seized five camps of the New People's Army and encountered 22 armed engagements initiated by government troops in the province of Northern Samar from January 2013 to date. 

This was reported by Capt. Gene Orense, public affairs officer of 803rd Brigade.

Last July 27 at 6:10 a.m., the 803rd Brigade seized its 5th NPA camp in a 45-minute firefight between 30 NPA rebels allegedly led by Renato Rebay at Barangay Rombang, Laoang, Northern Samar.

Recovered from the camp were two M-16 rifles, two landmines, four military type backpacks, including two civilian bags and a number of subversive documents, Orense reported.

Orense said one NPA died and one was captured during the exchange of fires while some were wounded from the enemy side, evidenced by bloodstains found in the enemy's withdrawal route.

The dead NPA was later identified as the squad leader of Platoon 1, Silvino Pajares Command, Northern Samar Provincial Party Committee. The one captured will be subjected to proper legal action or inquest proceeding before the public prosecutor, Orense added.

Lt. Col. Rodrigo Illustrisimo, commanding officer of 34th Infantry Brigade, said the discovery and seizure of the NPA camp at Brgy. Rombang, Laoang was made possible by the reports from residents in the barangay who were extorted and intimidated by NPAs.

Illustrisimo said the recovery of two landmines in the rebel camp is a clear evidence of NPA’s complete disregard of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or CARHIHL.

Meanwhile, Orense said the 803rd Brigade will continue to patrol every nook and cranny of the province and protect communities from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA’s terror and deception.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1261375061695