Soldiers overrun alleged NPA camp in Occidental Mindoro

May 1, 2020

Army soldiers overran an alleged New People's Army (NPA) camp in Occidental Mindoro on Thursday.

Capt. Jayrald Ternio,  public affairs chief of the 2nd Infantry Division, said the NPA encampment was located at Brgy Manoot of Rizal town.

Ternio said after a 30-minute firefight government forces overran what they believe is the NPA's Southern Tagalog headquarters in the area.

"After the encounter, the government forces belonging to the 4th Infantry Battalion recovered one M16 rifle, one cal .38 pistol, eight anti-personnel mines, improvised explosive device (IED) components, live ammunition, food stuff, personal effects and enemy documents with high intelligence value," he said.

Ternio said according to Lt. Col. Alexander Arbolado, commanding oOfficer of 4th IB, around 20 NPAs tried to defend the area which could accommodate around 60 persons.

"No casualty was recorded on the part of our troops while we believe that the enemy suffered numerous injuries and deaths as manifested by the heavy bloodstains along their route of withdrawal," Arbolado said.

"We will continue conducting focused military operations as our response to the overwhelming clamor of the IP communities to liberate them from CPP-NPA threat, harassment and extortion", he added.

Brigadier General Antonio Lastimado, commander of the 203rd Brigade, attributed this accomplishment to the "people's desire and yearning to cleanse the island of NPA presence so that just peace and lasting development may finally reign."

Lastimado assures the public that the Provincial Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict  or PTFs ELCAC, will continue pursuing its mandate in the whole Island of Mindoro while addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., commander of the Army s 2nd Infantry Division, lauded his troops for being unrelenting in performing their mandates despite the challenges brought about by the corona virus.

Ternio said additional forces have augmented the ongoing pursuit operations while air assets were alerted and prepositioned to provide immediate close air support to the government troops.

"Per military records, this is the eighth encounter in Mindoro since January which, in their assessment, is a manifestation that the NPAs are no longer enjoying support from their so-called mass base," he said. Robina Asido/DMS