Another NPA Camp
falls, improvised landmines recovered
By 20th Infantry Battalion,
8ID PA
February 18, 2013
Barangay Magsaysay, Lope de
Vega, Northern Samar – Another CPP/NPA camp has been seized by
government forces in vicinity Km 11, Barangay Happy Valley, San
Isidro, Northern Samar last February 18, 2013 at around 1:05 in the
afternoon.
Lieutenant Colonel Noel A
Vestuir, 20IB’s Commanding Officer, in his report to 803rd Brigade
Commander, Colonel Rolando Malinao, said that as the troops of Bravo
Company, 20IB led by Sgt Antonio Seberre while conducting combat
patrol in the hinterland barangays of San Isidro, Northern Samar,
discovered a newly abandoned NPA encampment with hastily destroyed
makeshift posts and bunkers.
According to LTC Vestuir,
the said camp was pinpointed after the residents in the nearby
barangays informed the troops of the presence of unidentified armed
men in the area. As the troops searched the area, they were able to
recover the following items: two (2) improvised anti-personnel mines;
two (2) meters detonating cord; electric firing wire; one (1) IED
switch; one (1) rifle grenade; four (4) back packs, personal
belongings and subversive documents.
LTC Vestuir added, that the
series of the discovery of NPA camps was a result of the continuing
support of the people in the barangays. As can be recalled, already
three (3) NPA camp were also seized by 20IB last week in the
municipalities of San Isidro, Victoria and Catarman.
According to LTC Vestuir,
“the presence of NPAs and the recovery of improvised explosive devices
is a clear indication that the terrorist group is planning to conduct
atrocities against the peace-loving people in the area that were
prevented due to the timely response of the government troops. The use
of landmines is a gross violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on
Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL)
wherein the CPP/NPA/NDF are signatories.
Vestuir also calls for the
NPAs to surrender. “Considering that the people themselves no longer
accept the NPAs in the barangays, it is high time that they shall
already spare them of their terroristic activities. With the series of
discovery of their camps, it is clear that we have already narrowed
the sphere of their influence and it would not be long for our troops
to eventually find them. If that would happen, we will not hesitate to
use the full might and strength of our forces against them.” Vestuir
concluded.