NPA camp seized by government troops in Northern Samar

By 20th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
January 26, 2013

BRGY. MAGSAYSAY, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar  –  A newly abandoned communist terrorist’s camp was recently discovered by government security forces at Sitio Catmaalad, Barangay Mckinley, Catarman, Northern Samar at around 9:30 in the morning today, January 26, 2013.

Lieutenant Colonel Noel A Vestuir, 20IB’s Commanding Officer, in his report to 803rd Brigade Commander, Colonel Rolando Malinao, said the camp was seized by the operating troops of 20IB 1LT Raul Delos Santos.

The camp has fifteen (15) hastily destroyed bunkers that can accommodate more or fifteen to twenty communist terrorists, one (1) kitchen, one (1) comfort room, and has just been abandoned by the CTs as they evade armed engagement with the operating troops. The camp was seized after 20IB launched sustained combat operations in the area of Catarman in response to the information tipped-in by some residents in the nearby barangays of the presence of armed men roaming in the area extorting money and food stuffs from the peace-loving people.

The recent accomplishments by the 20IB troops against the NPAs in the area of 1st district of Northern Samar have disrupted the impending terroristic activities that are being hatched to be conducted by the NPA. The government troops has dislodged them from their guerilla camps and cut-off their supply support lines that they forcibly take from the residents in the area.

The discovery and seizure of the said camp in the area was made possible by the information provided by local populace and is a clear indication that enemy revolutionary organization has already alienated the people and the communities where they got their support through their forced extortion activities.

LTC Vestuir, 20IB’s Commanding Officer commended his troops for a job well done. He also thanked the continued support of the people in the government’s efforts of “Winning the Peace”.

“Through the timely and accurate information tipped by the residents, our troops were able to discover the NPA encampment, a staging place of their terroristic activities in the area. The seizure of the said NPA encampment is a big blow to the CTs considering that we have denied them of their safe haven and sanctuary and once again proven that the people are with us in our pursuit for peace in this part of the country”, Vestuir said.