TACLOBAN CITY- A firefight between government forces and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) resulted to the discovery and seizure of the rebels’ camp in San Jose de Buan town, Samar province on Wednesday (July 29) afternoon.
The soldiers, belonging to the 87th Infantry Battalion, engaged 50 rebels in firefight for almost four hours that started at about 1:30 pm, the 8th Infantry Division, based in Catbalogan City, also in Samar, said in a statement.
The camp of the rebels could accommodate 100 individuals composed of 34 huts and a kitchen, it said.
The government troops recovered five M-16 assault rifles, hundreds of assorted ammunition, a generator set, electronic gadgets, food, medicines, medical paraphernalia and subversive documents.
No soldier was wounded during the skirmish but authorities believe the NPA terrorists could have suffered numerous wounded.
Brigadier General Camilo Ligayo, the 801st Brigade Commander said acknowledged the help of the residents of the village on their fight against the rebels.
“While the NPA continue to harass and abuse people, our soldiers will be more active in serving the masses. We thank the people and local officials of San Jose de Buan for renewing their support to our legitimate government and denying sanctuary to the NPA,” he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Reynaldo Balido Jr., battalion commander of 87th IB, urged the wounded rebels “to surrender so as to be treated appropriately.”
“There are many cases that their wounded end up dead and they just bury them in shallow graves or worse, they just leave them behind,” said Balido.
Eastern Visayas, particularly the Samar Island, remained a hotbed of insurgency with the continued presence of NPA rebels. (RONALD O.REYES)
