Army discovers NPA camp in Himamaylan

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) discovered an alleged camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, following a week-long of clearing operations in the central part of Negros Island.

Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Guzman, 94th IB commander, said that they conducted clearing operations from May 10 to 17 at the interior barangays of Buenavista village and Tan-awan village in Kabankalan City.

“These communities seem very peaceful, however, we have discovered the camp, which was previously not in our records,” he added.

The camp is fortified with running trenches, battle positions, and can accommodate at least 60 persons. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and AK-47 ammunition were also recovered in the area, a press release said.

Guzman said that the camp is now a marked target for 105mm howitzers and FA-50 jet bombers once the rebels are spotted occupying the area again.

Meanwhile, the military troopers returned to Barangay Cambudlas, Bindoy, Negros Oriental on May 18, after receiving a tip from a local resident that a cadaver of an alleged rebel was seen near the creek, after the April 30 encounter which left two NPA members killed.

“The alleged cadaver may have already been recovered or buried by the NPA, but the efforts of the troopers scouring the area resulted to the recovery of an M16 rifle left behind by the rebels during the encounter,” Guzman said.

He said that the 94th IB will intensify its focused military operations in the central part of Negros Island to destroy the NPA formations and neutralize identified rebel personalities and supporters in pursuit of peace in the area.