Soldiers capture NPA camp in Pangasinan

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Army on Tuesday (Nov. 24) said soldiers seized a New People’s Army camp in the town of Mangatarem, Pangasinan province after a 30-minute gunfight.

In a statement, the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) said a Scout unit engaged by the NPA was confirming intelligence reports from indigenous people living near the NPA camp.

The soldiers asked for “artillery fire support after finding themselves outnumbered” by at least 40 NPA guerrillas at the village of Lawak Langka in Mangatarem, according to Brig. Gen. Audrey Pasia, commander of the Army’s 702nd Infantry Brigade.

Pasia said soldiers were still “scouring the area” after which their inputs “will be the basis of the report” that would be submitted to the Army headquarters.

“Additional forces were flown in by helicopters to provide close air support and reinforce the engaged troops,” he added.

There were no reported casualties from the military side.

Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., Nolcom commander, said he was optimistic that the capture of the rebel camp “will lead the few remaining NPA terrorists to choose peace over conflict.”

He said he also was optimistic that guerrillas would accept the government’s offer of livelihood and housing grants “and lead normal lives together with their families.”

Edited by TSB