Army troops intensify security operations discover abandon NPA rebels camp in ZamboSur

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY,Zamboanga del Sur (April 14, 2015) – The forces of the Army’s 53^rd Infantry Battalion discovered a newly-abandoned camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Sur, a military official said Tuesday.

First Infantry (Tabak) Division Public affairs Officer said the camp was found shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Cabaloran, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur.

Midsalip comprises 33 barangays, a fourth class municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Sur with a population of 31,467 as of the 2010 census.

Midsalip is described as an interior municipality that is located 21.8 kilometers inland from the national highway and just slightly on the eastern part of Zamboanga del Sur.

Muyuela said the troops from the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion were on security operations when they discovered the camp which can accommodate around 100 persons.

She said based on the report from the troops on the ground that the NPA has abandoned the camp three days ago before it was discovered.

She said the military troops intensified and continuously conduct security patrol to assist the police and local government units in curbing out activities by lawless elements in Zamboanga del Sur.