Gov’t troops seize NPA camp in Camarines Norte; 2 soldiers hurt

Two soldiers were injured as government forces seized a New People’s Army camp Sunday afternoon in Camarines Norte, the military said on Monday.

Major Angelo Guzman of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division said the soldiers were conducting security patrol around 4:15 p.m. when they chanced upon the rebel camp at Sitio Palale in Exciban village in Labo town.

The NPA camp had bunkers, equipped with huts and bleachers and scattered food. Blood stains were also all over the camp.

The camp was captured after an encounter of about an hour and a half between 20 rebels and 25 soldiers.

The wounded soldiers were identified as Private First Class Dexter Debil and Donhel Catangay.

A medical team picked up the casualties, Guzman said.

“Since the arrest of Camarines Norte’s top NPA leader Nancy Ortega on Feb. 5, stricter security measures for the Bayanihan teams are being implemented as the NPA will make desperate attacks to avenge the arrest of their leader,” said Guzman. —Frances Mangosing, INQUIRER.net