By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Philippine Army 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) units reportedly discovered an abandoned New People’s Army (NPA) encampment site earlier this week in Barangay Carol-an, Kabankalan City.

Based on information forwarded by the 62IB, they discovered the camp while conducting combat security operations in the area. The enemy hideout is believed to have accommodated around 20 NPA rebels.

Soldiers speculate the camp was abandoned between five to 10 days prior as the site was littered with empty canned goods, biscuit wrappers, and mineral water.

Nearby tree trunks also showed hammock markings.

62IB commander, Lt. Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, said the discovery is a clear manifestation that rebels are planning to conduct barbaric acts in the area, adding, Barangay Carol-an Captain Jucerel Paculanang has been received death threats from NPA rebels.

They also received complaints from local residents claiming the son of a barangay tanod official was beaten by rebels.

In response to the discovery, Dacoscos said he has ordered additional troops to the area in order to track down the rebels and impede any attacks./DGB, WDJ