NPA camp seized, firearms recovered by government troops in Northern Samar

By 20th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
April 13, 2013

BRGY. MAGSAYSAY, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar – An abandoned communist terrorist’s camp was recently discovered by government security forces at Happy Valley, San Isidro, Northern Samar at around 10:30 in the morning today, April 13, 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 led 1LT Florencio Tayo III.

The camp has fifteen (15) bunkers that can accommodate more or less twenty (20) communist terrorists, one (1) kitchen, one (1) comfort room, three (3) outposts and has just been abandoned by the CTs as they evade armed engagement with the operating troops. After thoroughly searching the area, the troops recovered four (4) cal .38 revolvers hidden in one of the bunkers.

The camp was seized after 20IB launched sustained combat operations in the area in response to the information tipped-in by some residents in the nearby barangays of the presence of armed men roaming in the area enforcing their Permit to Campaign (PTC) strategy, extorting money and food stuffs from the peace-loving people as well as political.

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 the 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 and the recovery of their firearms 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”.