RECOVERED. Shown in photo are items recovered by government troops including parts for making improvised explosives or landmine, a power generator, rifle scopes, among others, from an abandoned encampment of the New People's Army rebels in Barangay Mabato, Ayungon, Negros Oriental on Wednesday, (Oct. 23, 2019). Civilians reported the presence of armed men in the area, about a kilometer away from where four policemen were killed by rebels last July. (Photo courtesy of Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Government troops on Wednesday seized an alleged New People’s Army (NPA) encampment and recovered several items including parts for making landmines in Barangay Mabato, Ayungon town in Negros Oriental.
Soldiers from the 94th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army seized the unoccupied rebel camp located at the boundary of Sitio Yamut and Sitio Talaptapan in the said village at around 11:40 a.m.
The government troops, after receiving a report on the presence of an armed group in the area, conducted security operations, which led to the discovery of the abandoned camp, a report from the 303rd Infantry Brigade said.
The soldiers believed the camp was vacated hours before their arrival, as they recovered a portable generator, three rifle scopes, nine switches, five pieces detonator for anti-personnel landmine or improvised explosive device, a medical kit, a pair of handcuffs, one pouch bag, eight T-shirts printed with the “NPA” logo, rain boots, raincoat, utility rope, two saws, axe, hammer, two big rice pots with freshly cooked rice, subversive documents, and other personal belongings.
The encampment is situated about a kilometer away from where four police intelligence personnel were brutally murdered by suspected NPA members last July 18.
Lt. Col. Randy Pagunuran, 94TH IB commanding officer, was quoted in the report as saying that “this clearly shows that the civilians do not like the presence of NPA terrorists in their area”.
He said the people are now cooperating with the military and doing their part in making their community peaceful and insurgency-free.
“I urge the people of Ayungon to continue reporting the presence of NPAs in their communities in order for us to prevent their extortion and other terroristic activities in the area,” Pagunuran said. (PNA)
