Army seizes NPA camp in Leyte

From the Sun Star-Tacloban (Sep 27, 2019): Army seizes NPA camp in Leyte

ARMY troopers from 78th Infantry Battalion seized on Friday, September 27, an enemy camp after a 20-minute firefight with suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Mahaplag, Leyte.

Second Lieutenant Christopher Tanteo, platoon leader of Scout Platoon of 78th Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Obaob, said they responded to an information regarding the presence of suspected communist rebels in Sitio Tay-ong, Barangay Pinamonoan, Mahaplag town.
In a statement, the Army said the suspected NPA members were from the Platoon 1, Front 42, Sub Regional Committee, Levox.
No casualty was reported on the government side while it was undetermined on the enemy side, said the Army.

The government troops captured some weapons and documents inside the camp.

The seized items include one M16A1 rifle, 130 rounds of live ammunition (5.56), three long magazines for M16, four short magazines for M16, one improvised explosive device, one cellular phone, one handheld radio (Baofeng), medical paraphernalia, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

"It is a good thing the townsfolk reported the presence of the NPA in the area. The people made their stand, they have enough of the terrorism made by the NPA," said Obaob.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Lope Dago, commander of 802nd Infantry Brigade, urged the communist rebels "to heed the call of the communities and lay down your arms and avail of the enhanced integration program of the government."

"Allow then the government to resolve the issues of the communities and the end of this armed conflict. We will actively support the program of the government to peacefully resolve all armed conflicts against peace loving people of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran," said Dago in a statement.

"Let us condemn those who advocate violence and use arms," he added.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1825116/Tacloban/Local-News/Philippine-Army-seizes-New-Peoples-Army-camp-in-Mahaplag-Leyte