Military seizes alleged NPA camp in Pangasinan

November 24, 2020

The military seized an alleged New People's Army (NPA) camp following a 30-minute clash in Pangasinan on Tuesday morning.

Major Marco Antonio Magisa, spokesman of the Northern Luzon Command,  said the firefight occurred at the vicinity of Barangay Lawak Langka, Mangatarem.

Brig. General Audrey Pasia, commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade said  government troops "requested for artillery fire support after finding themselves outnumbered against an estimated 40 heavily armed communist terrorists hiding in the mountains of Brgy Lawak Langka.”

“Our forces are still scouring the area, the result of which will be the basis of the report which we will be submitting to higher headquarters”, said Pasia.

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

Following the successful operation, Lt .General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, chief of the AFP’s Northern Luzon Command said “the fact that we are now receiving real-time information is a loud and clear warning to the few remaining NPAs in this part of the country to put down their arms and return to the folds of law while they still can because our soldiers can, and will, hunt them down even up to the most isolated corner and crevices of Northern and Central Luzon.”

“This encounter will lead the few remaining NPA terrorists to choose peace over conflict, avail of government grants under E-CLIP and lead normal lives together with their families," he said.

Magisa said "all of NOLCOM’s military assets, including aircraft, are now on high alert."

"Follow on forces and K-9 assets have been deployed to conduct pursuit operations against the other fleeing NPAs while checkpoints have been established along possible exit routes," he said. Robina Asido/DMS