The Armed Forces (AFP) yesterday announced the capture of the biggest camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) in northeastern Mindanao following five days of sporadic fighting that ended Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Randolph Rojas, commanding officer of the Army’s 36th Infantry Batallion, said the camp is believed to be the site of the anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA this weekend.
The three-hectare NPA encampment is located at an elevated portion of Maitum in Surigao del Sur, according to Rojas.
It consists of outposts, listening posts, makeshift huts and kitchen and mini-communal farm.
Seized from the camp were war materials, including anti-government documents with high intelligence value.
Troopers also captured 21 improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
“We also found several bloodstains within this area,” said Rojas in an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin at Camp Bancasi here.
Rojas said one soldier, identified as Cpl. Julius Peritos, was wounded during the operation. He added the NPAs suffered undetermined number of casualties.
The camp, which can accommodate 60 persons, belongs to guerilla-Front Committee 30 of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee under certain “Kumander Puma.”
“This seized NPA camp was established three months ago and was only monitored when highland villagers reported to us,” he said.
Meanwhile, 120 families, mostly belonging to the Manobo tribe, fled their homes during the firefight. They are now being attended to by the military and local government unit in Tandag City.
Rojas said the presence of government security forces in the province is to aimed at protecting the highland community villagers from harassment by the NPA.
“The presence of our troops in the area is also to step up our peace and development program in all far-flung communities,” said Col. Rey Pasco, commanding officer of the Army’s 4th Civil Military Operations (4th CMO).
Military operations have ceased effective yesterday, according to Pasco.
http://www.tempo.com.ph/2015/12/24/afp-captures-biggest-npa-camp-in-mindanao/
Lt. Col. Randolph Rojas, commanding officer of the Army’s 36th Infantry Batallion, said the camp is believed to be the site of the anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA this weekend.
The three-hectare NPA encampment is located at an elevated portion of Maitum in Surigao del Sur, according to Rojas.
It consists of outposts, listening posts, makeshift huts and kitchen and mini-communal farm.
Seized from the camp were war materials, including anti-government documents with high intelligence value.
Troopers also captured 21 improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
“We also found several bloodstains within this area,” said Rojas in an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin at Camp Bancasi here.
Rojas said one soldier, identified as Cpl. Julius Peritos, was wounded during the operation. He added the NPAs suffered undetermined number of casualties.
The camp, which can accommodate 60 persons, belongs to guerilla-Front Committee 30 of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee under certain “Kumander Puma.”
“This seized NPA camp was established three months ago and was only monitored when highland villagers reported to us,” he said.
Meanwhile, 120 families, mostly belonging to the Manobo tribe, fled their homes during the firefight. They are now being attended to by the military and local government unit in Tandag City.
Rojas said the presence of government security forces in the province is to aimed at protecting the highland community villagers from harassment by the NPA.
“The presence of our troops in the area is also to step up our peace and development program in all far-flung communities,” said Col. Rey Pasco, commanding officer of the Army’s 4th Civil Military Operations (4th CMO).
Military operations have ceased effective yesterday, according to Pasco.
http://www.tempo.com.ph/2015/12/24/afp-captures-biggest-npa-camp-in-mindanao/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.