NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur (PNA) — A large encampment believed to be the lair of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels has been discovered by government troops belonging to the 50th Infantry Battalion within the vicinity of Barangay Kili, Tubo, Abra, it was reported Sunday.
The camp was discovered by troops conducting hot pursuit operations against NPA terrorists responsible for the ambush-slaying of soldiers in Abra last week.
In his report to Col. Essel C. Soriano, commander of the Philippine Army’s 503rd Brigade based in Lagangilang, Abra, Lt. Col. Rogelio Migote, commander of the 50th Infantry Battalion based in Sulvec, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, said the camp is located at least five kilometers east of Barangay Kili, near the bank of a creek.
Migote said the camp was where the rebels were training new recruits as evidenced by its 31 makeshift huts which can accommodate a total of 90 persons at one time.
Aside from this, the camp has also dining facility and a classroom where the NPAs may be holding their teach-ins.
Migote said civilians from Barangay Kili helped them in locating the camp as they provided information on the frequent activities of the rebels, such as recruitment, foraging and extortion among the local population.
He hinted that this could be the reason why the NPAs laid improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along pathways leading to the camp.
An EID exploded when stepped on by soldiers while responding to a report about the presence of NPA rebels in the vicinity who were conducting extortion activities.
Meanwhile, a separate arms cache of the NPA was also recovered by army intelligence agents with the help of civilians in a forested area of Barangay Buneg, Lacub, Abra.
Soriano said that hundreds of live ammunition, weapons accessories, and electrical wires and electronic storage devices were found in that cache.
At the same time, Soriano noted that the people are now more cooperative in reporting activities and presence of the local terrorists in their localities.
Citing the discovery of the large NPA camp, Soriano said that “with the momentum and initiative at hand, the AFP will continue to neutralize members of the local terrorist groups in order to provide a safe environment for local leaders to implement their services and development.”
However, he said that the AFP is still open to welcome members of the local terrorist groups who have been enlightened and opted to leave the armed struggle and embrace the real purpose of life. |
