NPA rebels abandon camp to evade advancing troops in Misamis Occidental

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 10 (PNA) –- Government forces have discovered a newly abandoned camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Misamis Occidental, a military official said Friday.

Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the camp was discovered around 8:40 a.m.

Thursday in Barangay Hoyohoy, Tangub, Misamis Occidental.

Muyuela said the troops from the Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion and Intelligence Service Group under the Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao) were conducting clearing operations when they discovered the NPA encampment.

She said the ground troops reported that the NPA rebels abandoned the camp three days ago as they evaded the advancing government forces.

Muyuela said the NPA rebels have splintered into smaller groups as they evaded the troops.

She said the abandoned camp was the site of a clash last April 6 between government forces and NPA rebels.

The troops have recovered war materials and documents of high-intelligence value the NPA rebels abandoned following a 40-minute firefight. (PNA)
LAP/TPG/SGP