82IB troopers overrun NPA camp in Miagao
Government troops from the 82nd Infatry Batallion’s Scout Platoon encountered 12 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels led by Rodel Muro a.k.a. Randy of the Napoleon Tumagtang Command of the NPA’s Southern Front Committee in a temporary encampment at Sito Anilawan, Brgy Onop, Miag-ao, Iloilo around 10 a.m. yesterday.
The 82nd Infantry (Bantay-laya) Battalion were responding to reports of armed men sighted foraging for food and supplies in the vicinity of Barangay Onop. Based on this information, the troops led by 2Lt. Javellana were able to accurately pinpoint the enemy’s position and launched a deliberate attack against the rebels.
The firefight lasted 10 minutes and the rebels retreated in order to avoid capture. In their panic, the NPA rebels left behind an M-16 rifle, an improvised explosive device (Claymore-type landmine), a Hand-held Radio set, 14 make-shift shelter tents (made of laminated sack and sticks), and their personal belongings.
2Lt. Javellana immediately deployed some of his men to secure the enemy’s position while the rest of them proceeded to pursue the fleeing enemy.
There were no casualties from the government troops, but it is believed that the NPA took some heavy blows during the encounter as blood splatter was found around the area of the enemy’s position.
“With the recent recovery of ammunition and explosives by your Army in Igbaras, we believe that we have crippled not only their capability to launch decisive tactical offensives against the Government and our fellow citizens but more importantly they are running out of ammunition to defend themselves against our troops,” said 1Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas .
“The citizens of Southern Panay are sending a clear message to the Napoleon Tumagtang Command of the NPA that they are not welcome here anymore. Our operations would not be successful if not for the information given to us by our fellow citizens” added Ltc George Joel Lalaquil, Commander of the 82nd Infantry (Bantay-Laya) Battalion.