BACOLOD City – An alleged hideout of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a hinterland village of Barangay Ayungon, Negros Oriental was seized after an encounter between a military offensive and communist guerrillas.
Operating troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) conducted the security operations around 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday after civilians reported about the presence of armed men in the village.
The local terrorists allegedly left the lair in the boundary of sitios Yamut and Talaptapan in Barangay Mabato, Ayungon when the troops arrived in the area.
In a statement released to the media, the troops said the resting place of the suspected rebels can accommodate 15 persons.
Lieutenant Colonel Randy Pagunuran,
commanding officer of the 94IB, said the report of the barangay residents is an
indication of their need for peace.
“This clearly shows that the civilians do not like the presence of NPA
terrorists in their area. They are now cooperating and doing their part in
order to make the communities peaceful and free from NPA influence,” said
Pagunuran.
During the clearing operations, the troops recovered nine switches and five pieces detonators, which are often used in making improvised explosive device.
A portable generator, three rifle scopes, a medical kit, a pair of handcuffs, one pouch and eight T-shirts printed with NPA logo were also recovered during the operations.
Included in the lists of seized items were the following: a pair of rain boots; rain coat; a coil of utility rope; two saws for metal and steel, an axe, and a hammer.
Soldiers also found “subversive documents with high intelligence value along with other personnal belongings.”
The suspected NPA lair is located a kilometer from the crime scene where four Intelligence Personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion were brutally murdered last July 18, 2019 in Sitio Yamut, Barangay Mabato in the same town./PN
