BACOLOD CITY – The Army 79th Infantry Battalion captured a New People’s Army (NPA) camp in an encounter in the hinterlands of Sitio Martesan, Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Monday, January 15.

A NEW People’s Army (NPA) camp was captured by the military in Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Monday, January 15. (Photo courtesy of 79th IB)

Several firearms and war materiel were recovered after the gun battle with about eight remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front, NNF (D), Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS).

Retrieved were a .30 Garand rifle, a Carbine rifle, a .38 caliber revolver, long and short magazine for Carbine rifle, a magazine for Garand rifle, two rifle grenades, 21 ammunition for Carbine rifle, five ammunition for Garand rifle, two ammunition for .38 caliber, assorted medicines, subversive documents with high intelligence value, and personal belongings.

Capt. Dan Carlo Samoza, 79th IB civil-military operations (CMO) officer, said soldiers were conducting operations to hunt down a group of NPA rebels tagged behind the killings in the town and neighboring areas when the firefight broke out.

This NPA band killed  businessman Juvinie Sarona in Toboso town, Negros Occidental early this month, according to the 3rd Infantry Division (ID).

Samoza said no casualty was recorded on the government side but bloodstains were found on the withdrawal route of the NPA.

The Army had earlier vowed to bring justice to Sarona and his family and hunt down the perpetrators behind the killings.

“We attribute these successful operations to the vigilance and cooperation of the Negrenses,” said Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, in a statement.

With their strong support, your Army and PNP, will not rest until justice is served to the bereaved family of Sarona and other victims of NPA killings in Negros, Sison added.