NPA Camp seized by government troops in Northern Samar

By 20th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
November 17, 2011

BRGY. MAGSAYSAY, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar  –  A newly abandoned communist terrorist’s camp was recently discovered by government security forces at Barangay Cal-igang, Catarman, Northern Samar last November 14, 2011 at around 1:45 in the afternoon.

Lieutenant Colonel Noel A. Vestuir, 20IB’s Commanding Officer, in his report to 803rd Brigade Commander, Colonel Oscar Lopez, said the camp was seized by the troops of 3rd Regional Public Safety Mobile Company under Police Inspector Shyrile Tan which is placed under Tactical Control to 20IB.

The camp has fourteen (14) bunkers that can accommodate more or less twenty communist terrorists and has just been abandoned by the CTs as they evade armed engagement with the operating troops. The troops also recovered one empty bandolier, ammunition pouch and dry cell batteries. The camp was discovered after 20IB has launched sustained combat operations in the area of Catarman in response to the series of killing incidents perpetrated by the communist terrorists early this week.

According to LtCol. Vestuir, a certain Allan Martinez, was forcibly abducted and shot to death by six (6) unidentified communist terrorists in his residence at Barangay Cal-Igang, Catarman, Northern Samar at around 7:40 in the morning of November 10, 2011.  Relatedly, at around 8:15 in the evening of same day, another killing was perpetrated by the CTs at Barangay New Rizal also of Catarman wherein a certain Romeo Salazar Lovino was forcibly taken and shot several times that resulted to his death.

LtCol. Vestuir added: “The series of recent killings perpetrated by the NPAs in the area of Catarman is again a ploy of the communist terrorists to instill fear among the peace loving people as their means of getting their support which is in consonance to the Maoist dictum of “kill one to terrorize one thousand”.  Also, the said liquidations are another deception to the PNP and military, once they will react, the CTs had established an ambush along the route similar to what they did in Brgy. Imelda last year where they have landmined the responding PNP personnel.”

LtCol. Vestuir also lauded his troops particularly the PNP for a job well done and further commended the collaborative efforts between the PNP and the Philippine Army. 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 concluded.