Military seizes 2 rebel camps in Northern Samar

MANILA -- Government troops seized two camps of the New People's Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Lope de Vega town in Northern Samar on Thursday and Friday, about two weeks before the communist party marks its 43rd foundation anniversary.

Lieutenant Colonel Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army's 20th Infantry Battalion, said the first camp was found abandoned around 7:30 a.m. at the village of Gebunawan based on information provided by civilian informants.

Vestuir said the rebels abandoned their camp to evade a potential firefight with the operating troops led by First Lieutenant Florecio Tayo and First Lieutenant Irvin Cruz.

"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," said Vestuir.

The seizure of the said NPA encampment is a big blow to the communist group as government forces have denied the rebels of their safe haven, the official said.

Vestuir said the camp has 40 bunkers that can accommodate at least 60 person, three guard posts, a mess hall, two comfort rooms, and two kitchens.

Around 8:45 a.m. on Friday, Vestuir said his men found another abandoned NPA camp during a clearing operation in the same village. He said the camp is about 300 meters northwest from the camp seized on Thursday.

Vestuir said the second camp has several makeshifts bunkers which were "intentionally destroyed by the communist terrorists before they left the area, evading armed confrontation with our operating troops."

He said the camp can accommodate about 20 people.

"The troops are still searching the area for possible alternate camps," said Vestuir. (VR/Sunnex)

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