By Mike Crismundo
BUTUAN CITY – Troops of the Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion (65th IB) seized a New People’s Army (NPA) camp after a fierce gun battle in Barangay Pagsag-an, Cagayan de Oro City.
(Stalwart Battalion official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
A government soldier was wounded, while undetermined numbers of NPA terrorists were believed killed or wounded, before the government troops seized the rebel camp last Tuesday (July 30).
“Several blood stains were seen by our operating troops in the seized camp and also in their escape route of withdrawal,” said Maj. Regie H. Go, regional Army spokesperson in Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division.
He said elements of 65th IB found in the seized camp several bomb-making materials, including unexploded anti-personnel mines. “The use of which (anti-personnel mines) is prohibited under the United Nations Ottawa Treaty,” Maj. Go said.
The discovery of the camp came after concerned citizens reported the presence of the armed men doing extortion and teach-in activities in the upper barangay of Pagsag-an, he said.
The rebels belonged to Power Company, Sub- Regional Committee 5 (PC-SRC5) of the CPP-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee under certain “Commander Rebu/Yur”, the 4th ID spokesperson said.