2 ‘NPA lairs’ discovered in Ecija
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) encampments were discovered during a joint military-police operation in the boundaries of Gabaldon and General Tinio towns in Nueva Ecija, a report said here on Friday.
In a statement sent from the 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division based in this camp, the operation was conducted by the 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion along with the 2nd Special Action Battalion and the police’s Special Action Force on August 18 and 19.
The 7th ID said the first rebel lair was believed occupied for over a week by about seven NPAs who were remnants of the already-disbanded Kilusang Larangang Gerilya-Sierra Madre.
Government forces also discovered suspected enemy tracking that led them to a larger hide-out of the rebel group the next day.
The said encampment was estimated to have been earlier occupied for at least three days by at least 20 rebels.
Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto Jr., 91st IB chief, lauded his men’s efforts saying the discovery of these enemy lairs showed that the government’s campaign against terrorism is very effective.
For his part, Major General Andrew D. Costelo, 7ID chief gave assurances that this will serve as a motivation for them to become more determined in ending the local armed conflict in their area of responsibility.
