Gov’t troops overrun NPA camp in Davao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A suspected New People’s Army guerrilla was captured after elements of the Army’s 71st Infantry Battalion (IB) overran what was believed to be a rebel camp in Malita, Davao Occidental, yesterday morning.

The government troops reportedly encountered NPA rebels belonging to “Front 75”in Sitio Solo, Barangay Manuel Peralta, which resulted in the arrest of Rodane Antiodo, alias Dandan, the alleged team leader of the rebel group’s squad 1.

The firefight reportedly lasted for about 20 minutes. The soldiers recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, ammunition, a rifle grenade, electric wire, two sacks of rice, and personal items.

Antiodo was placed under the custody of the 73rd IB troops.

The “Front 75” was believed to be the same group that ambushed and burned the remains of a member of a peace and development team last month.

Despite the incident the government is still encouraging the rebels to return to the folds of the law, said Lt. Col. Patricio Ruben Mata, commander of the 75th IB.