Troops overrun NPA camp in two encounters in Northern Samar

By DPAO, 8ID PA
August 2, 2013

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City, Samar – Two (2) separate encounters were recorded between the troops of 8th Infantry Division and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Northern Samar.

An encounter happened between troops of the 20th Infantry Battalion and undetermined number of NPAs on August 2, 2013 in the boundary of Barangay Toog, Lavazares, Northern Samar and Barangay Guindalian, Rosario Northern Samar. After an hour firefight, the troops overran an NPA camp which has 32 bunkers, one mess hall, one kitchen and two guard posts.

Additionally, the troops were able to recover assorted ammunitions for high powered firearms and magazines, one mobile phone, assorted medicines and other personal belongings. The rebels suffered undetermined number of casualties as indicated by traces of blood on site.

On same day, another encounter happened between troops under 34th Infantry Battalion and more or less five (5) NPAs on August 2, 2013 at Barangay Rebadulla, Catubig, Northern Samar. Troops recovered one (1) caliber .45 pistol with one (1) loaded magazine in this encounter.

Brigadier General Rolando Malinao, Commander of 803rd Brigade said: “Now that the stakeholders of Northern Samar are working together to stop NPA activities, it is only a matter of time before the rebel movement will crumble in Northern Samar which will pave the way for a lasting peace and development on the province.”