Troops of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) overran a hideout of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in southern Negros after a clash with communist-rebels in Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City on Tuesday.
Lt. Col Erwin Cariño, commanding officer of 15IB, said on Wednesday the lair in the vicinity of Sitio Calagmakan can accommodate about 60 persons.
His men found the area after engaging some 20 members of the NPA’s South West Front Platoon 2, Sentro de Grabidad in a 15-minute firefight.
They recovered from the hideout an improvised explosive device, a generator set, electrical wires, a pair of binoculars, a blood pressure apparatus, and a computer printer. Other items found included subversive documents, teach-in materials, office supplies, a map of Negros, containers of gasoline, personal items, foodstuff, and cooking utensils.
“We will continue to track and engage these terrorists to put an end to their decades-long cruelty,” Cariño said.
He thanked the residents for their support to the troops by providing information that led them to discover the rebels’ hideout, adding that their cooperation is a manifestation of the growing mass resistance to the presence and influence of the communist-terrorist group.
“We will continue to conduct focused military operations. With the support of the locals, more NPA lairs are expected to be seized and cleared in the coming days,” he added.
Col. Noel Baluyan, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, commended the community for their continued support to government troops through the reliable information they provide on the presence of the communist-terrorists.
“This manifests their awareness on how we can attain and sustain peace through collaborative efforts,” he added.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
(Nanette Guadalquiver NDB via PNA, photo by PNA)
