Philippine Army seizes NPA camp

A week after improvised explosive devices were recovered in northern Negros, the 11th Infantry Battalion troopers discovered a large encampment of the New People’s Army in Brgy. Tan-awan, Kabankalan City, Sunday.
 
Maj. Rey Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, yesterday said the camp, that can accommodate about 100 persons, is believed to have been abandoned several days before it was discovered.

The fleeing rebels left behind a CPP-NPA red flag, subversive documents, a handbook for the Batakang Kursong Pampartido and personal belongings, he said.

1Lt. Von Ryan Gomez, 11th IB Civil Military Operations Officer, said the discovery of the NPA training camp, was a result of ongoing military operations in the area.

Two weeks ago, suspected NPA assassins shot and killed CAFGU member Ricky Camacho in Brgy. Magballo, Kabankalan City. It was followed by the killing of a Bukidnon tribe member in Brgy. Riverside, Isabela, military records show.

Gomez said the abandoned rebel camp, which is located in a forested area, has two makeshift huts and a comfort room, with an estimated area of 2,185 square meters. 

Last week, six IEDs with blasting caps and a fragmentation grenade were recovered by military intelligence operatives in an abandoned NPA makeshift hut in Hacienda Begonia, Brgy. Purisima, Manapla, the military reported.

Article Source: The Visayan Daily Star

3 Army battalions get new commanders

THREE Philippine Army battalions in Negros under the 303rd Brigade are set to have new commanders.

Today, Thursday, the 62nd Infantry Battalion will hold the installation of Lieutenant Colonel Efren Murados as its incoming commanding officer.

The battalion based in Barangay Bato, Sagay City was formerly headed by an officer-in-charge after Lieutenant Colonel John Ely Alberto was promoted to a full-fledged colonel early this year.

The installation will be administered by 3rd Infantry Division Commanding General Major General Jose Mabanta.

On Friday, the 11th Infantry Battalion based in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental will hold the turnover ceremonies between outgoing commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Ramil Bitong and his replacement Lieutenant Colonel Wilfredo Isaac.

Bitong has completed his almost two-year stint as battalion commander.

On the other hand, the First Scout Ranger Battalion based in La Carlota City will also have a new commander on March 1, according to Colonel Oscar Lactao, 303rd Brigade commander.

Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Felicidario will be promoted to a new position in the elite force of the Philippine Army.

His successor has not been named yet.

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Teresa Ellera

Thursday, February 23, 2012

SunStar.Com.Ph

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2 11th IB soldiers cited for honesty

TWO soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion helping in the search and retrieval operations were cited for honesty after they turned in to government authorities cash amounting to P70,000, which they recovered in the landslide area.

Undersecretary Benito Ramos of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center identified the two soldiers as Pvt. Danny Faigne and Pvt. Marlon Vera who were helping in the search and retrieval operations in Solonggon, La Libertad, Negros Oriental.

Meanwhile, Ramos said the search and retrieval operations will continue in the landslide-stricken areas.

“There is no deadline set,” Ramos said.

The search and retrieval operation has entered its first week since the 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit the Visayas region and took its toll on several localities in Negros Oriental.

He said they continue to hope that there are still survivors in the landslide stricken area.

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TED

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

SunStar.Com.Ph

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Army suspends offensives vs NPA in quake-hit areas

The Philippine Army has suspended tactical offensive operations against the communist New People’s Army areas of Negros devastated by a magnitude-6.9 quake last Monday.

Col. Francisco Patrimonio, the Army's 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said he has instead mobilized his men to help in the retrieval of bodies from the rubble, according to a report on Visayan Daily Star.

Patrimonio said at least 300 soldiers and government militiamen are working in the retrieval operations, including landslide-hit areas in Planas village in Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental and in Sorongon village in La Libertad town.

He said they need more equipment, such as chainsaws, picks, shovels and other powered tools for retrieval operations in two landslide areas.

As of Thursday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had said at least 26 were confirmed dead and 71 still missing in the wake of Monday's quake.

The Visayan Daily Star report quoted military reports indicating some 100 armed NPA members are still operating in Negros Oriental.

Of these, 50 are in the hinterlands of Guihulngan and neighboring areas, under the Leonardia Panaligan Command.

'Appeal' to NPA

Meanwhile, Capt. Reylan Java, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, appealed to the NPA leadership in Negros Island to spare the rescue workers from hostile actions.

He urged the NPAs to help the affected residents instead.

Java said troops of the 11th and 79th Infantry Battalions and the 32nd Division Reconnaissance Company, all being supervised by the 302nd Infantry Brigade, were marshaled to perform rescue and retrieval operations in affected communities.

Two Air Force helicopters from the 2nd Air Division in Cebu are now being utilized in the search and rescue mission.

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, the new 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, said they will continue efforts to help those affected by the natural disaster.
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LBG,
 GMA News Online
February 10, 2012 9:40am
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