Military seizes control of Isabela NPA camp

STA. CRUZ, Ilocos Sur - Government troops captured an encampment of the New People’s Army (NPA) during pursuit operations in the mountainous areas in Barangay Santo Domingo in Jones, Isabela on Saturday.

Lieutenant Colonel Isagani Nato, spokesperson of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), on Monday said that troops from the Nolcom’s Joint Task Force (JTF) "Tala" seized control of the NPA camp.

Nato said the troops recovered three improvised cooking appliances and fresh vegetables from the site.

Before the discovery of the camp, an encounter broke out between troops from the Philippine Army’s 86th Infantry Battalion (86IB) under the 502nd Brigade-5th Infantry Division (5ID) in Sitio Dibulod, Dicamay 2, Jones, Isabela province on Saturday.

Nato said all troops were accounted for, while several NPA members were reported killed.

Meanwhile, Nato said that 14 members of the Milisyang Bayan (MB) or People's Militia (PM) and six supporters surrendered in Sitio Nakatengey, Barangay Namal, Asipulo, Ifugao to the Philippine Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion.

An M-16 rifle was also surrendered by the group which was later brought to the Headquarters of 54IB for safekeeping.

The surrender was made possible through the efforts and initiatives of Community Support Program (CSP) operators of the Army unit in the area. (with a report from Franco G. Regala)