Gov't troops overrun NPA camp in Misamis Occidental

By Hirohito D. Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, May 18 (PNA) -– government forces on Saturday overran a camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of

Misamis Occidental, a military official announced Sunday.

 

Army’s 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer-in-Charge Capt. Franco Suelto said the camp was overran following an hour-long clash that broke out around 9 a.m. Saturday in the boundary of Barangay San Lorenzo, Sinacaban and Barangay Carmen, Jimenez, Misamis Occidental.

Suelto said the troops from the Charlie company of the Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion led by 1Lt. Ernesto Vitor launched the attacked following intelligence report that NPA rebels are encamped in the area.

Suelto said the NPA rebels fled to different directions as they were outmaneuvered by the troops leaving one rebel dead while personal belongings were seized.

He said the slain NPA rebel was identified as Lando Etol also known as Ka Brabra and Ka Brando of the Baking Squad of the NPA’s Front Committee Sendong.

He said the troops recovered from the fallen NPA camp the following: one M-16 Armalite rifle with ammunitions; one short ammunition magazine; one camouflage pack; 100 kilos of rice; 42 meters of wire to be used for Improvised Explosive Devised (IED); personal belongings; and, subversive documents of high intelligence value.

Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Gerry Besana has ordered his troops to track down the fleeing NPA rebels. (PNA)
CTB/TPGJR/HDC/RSM