ACROSS THE COUNTRY

AFP overruns Quirino NPA camp

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan – Government troopers recovered high-powered firearms after it overran a New People’s Army (NPA) camp in Sitio Pulang Lupa, Barangay Disumungal, Nagtipunan, Quirino yesterday.

Five M16 and two M14 rifles, various types of ammunition, police uniforms and combat boots were recovered from the abandoned NPA lair, according to Superintendent Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley police director.

Espino said the camp was the jump-off point of rebels who attacked the Maddela police station last year. The raid left a police officer dead and two others wounded. – Raymund Catindig

2 soldiers hurt in landmine blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two soldiers were wounded in a landmine explosion in Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte on Friday.

The rebels planted the landmine on Palalian bridge at around 10 a.m. as a military truck was passing, Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesperson, said yesterday, citing the report of soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Battalion.

Galvez said the rebels detonated the landmine when they saw the soldiers.

“The explosion was succeeded by bursts of gunfire from the enemies who were positioned... beside the bridge,” she said. – Roel Pareño

‘Termite’ robbers nabbed in Cavite

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – Nine persons tagged by police as “termite gang” members were arrested in Noveleta, Cavite yesterday.

The suspects, whose identities were withheld pending investigation and follow-up operations, were caught robbing a pawnshop in Barangay Poblacion at around 2 a.m., Chief Inspector Chito Macaspac, Cavite police spokesman, said.

Police said the suspects had been under surveillance for a month.

An undetermined amount of cash and jewelry were reportedly recovered from the suspects.

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, Calabarzon police director, said they are checking if the suspects were involved in pawnshop robberies in Laguna and Batangas. – Ed Amoroso