AN OFFICIAL of the Joint Task Force Negros (JTF Negros) attributed the successful capture of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) terrorist camp in Ayungon, Negros Oriental to the vigilance of the civilian populace in the area.
Brigadier General Eric Vinoya, JTF Negros Commander, said the locals provided precise information to the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) about the location of the communist-terrorists, which led to the seizure of the group's lair at the boundary of Sitio Yamut and Sitio Talaptapan, Barangay Mabato, Ayungon on Wednesday, October 23.
"Ang pagka-diskubre ng kampo ng tetoristang grupo ay malutong na sampal sa pahayag ng kanilang liderato sa Negros na pinilit at pinuwersa ng gobyerno ang mamamayan na itakwil ang mga NPA. Ang-taong bayan na mismo ang tumutulong sa ating mga sundalo at nagsusuplong ng kanilang kinaroroonan. Patunay ito ng kanilang kagustuhan na wakasan ang kalupitan ng teroristang grupo," Vinoya said.
(The discovery of the terrorist group's camp is a slap to the statement of their leader in Negros that the government forced that people to reject the NPA. It is the people who willingly helped our soldiers of their whereabouts. It is proof of their desire to the end terrorism.)
The 94IB reported that its troops were able to seize the terrorist group's lair after receiving reports from civilians of the presence of armed men in the said barangay.
The lair, which can accommodate more or less 15 people, was abandoned by the fleeing terrorists a few hours before the troops arrived in the area.
Upon scouring, the troops recovered the following items: one portable generator, three rifle scopes, nine switches and five detonators for anti-personnel landmines or improvised explosive device (IED), one medical kit, one handcuff, one pouch bag, eight shirts with NPA logo print, one pair of rain boots and raincoat, one utility rope, two saws, one axe, one hammer, two big rice pots with newly-cooked rice, subversive documents with high intelligence value and other personal belongings.
"The capture of the group's camp is a manifestation of the victory of our drive against insurgency. The strategic deployment of our forces successfully thwarted their terroristic activities in the area making their struggle more miserable," Vinoya added.
He also emphasized that: "The JTF Negros is not bothered by the terrorist groups' pressure for we have the overwhelming support and cooperation of the Negrenses. We are determined to crush them down the soonest time possible to fulfil the people's will."
Furthermore, JTF Negros Commander reiterated his persistent call to the remaining members and leaders of the CPP-NPA to surrender for them to regain their normal life.
"As what I've said before, you only have two options: surrender or suffer the iron fist of the JTF Negros," he said.