Gov’t troops seize NPA camp in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental
BACOLOD CITY—The Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion in Negros has seized a temporary camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) after a firefight Thursday in Kabankalan City. Maj. Cenon Pancito III, 3rd Division spokesman, said the troops were conducting combat operations when they encountered about 20 armed members of the Sentro De Grabidad (SDG) Platoon at the vicinity of Sitio Manulaya, Barangay Tan-awan. The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes. Pancito believed some rebels were wounded based on the traces of bloodstains at the encounter site. One of the soldiers also suffered a bullet wound in his left leg but is in stable condition, Pancito said. Aside from the camp, the government troops also seized an M-16 A1 rifle, four short magazines with ammunition, improvised explosive device components, battery switch, an M-16 handguard, jungle hammock, and bolo. Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said the discovery of the camp suggested that the NPAs in Negros are now on the run. “They cannot afford to stay or go back to one place after losing the trust and support of the masses. All they can do now is run and hide to avoid being hit by our troops,” Vinoya said. “Come down, lay down your arms, and avail the government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for you to have a peaceful life,” he added.
