BRGY. CAMALANDA-AN, Cauayan - The reported presence of a "foreigner" among the New People's Army rebels who fled from their camp, which was recently overran by soldiers of the 61st Infantry Battalion here on Jan. 29, remains a mystery to the military up to now.

Brig. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, 303rd Infantry Battalion commanding general, yesterday said they are still validating reports of a "Caucasian"- looking person, who was among those who fled from the seized rebel camp.

Fojas who inspected the rebel camp in Sitio Malabago of this barangay, said the "foreigner" could have been helping the NPA.

More Army troops were dispatched to southern Negros yesterday as the 61st Infantry Battalion pressed their campaign to further restrict the movements of the NPA.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st IB commanding officer, yesterday said there is nothing to worry about in their continued campaign against insurgents. "It is our obligation and duty to neutralize the armed group," he added.

The recent seizure of the rebel camp, which can accommodate as much as 50 persons, was followed by two encounters in the barangay and Brgy. Haba, Candoni on Feb. 3.

Flores yesterday identified the slain rebel in the Candoni encounter as Rex Parreño, a former militiaman and a resident of Brgy. Gatuslao, Candoni.

Recovered from the slain Parreño were an M-14 assault rifle, seven magazines containing ammunitions, an empty magazine and a back pack.

Flores also reported the confiscation of an M-16 assault rifle with two magazines from the residence of Hilario Bejona in Brgy. Talalac, Santa Catalina on Jan. 31.

Karapatan-Negros and its allied organizations which claimed to have conducted a fact-finding mission on alleged abuses of the military after the series of encounters, said they have documented four cases of human rights and international humanitarian law violations.

The alleged violations included physical assault, violation of domicile, forcible evacuation and divestment of properties, and violation of international humanitarian provisions, or disrespect to places of worship, they said.

Contrary to allegations that they are fabricating gains in the campaign against the NPA, among them having seized a rebel camp, Fojas said he is willing to accompany Karapatan-Negros and its allied organizations to the overran NPA camp.

Flores said, "Those are all concocted allegations to lessen the impact of our military success and the debacle suffered by the rebels".

Flores said the seized rebel camp is located in a strategic area of a forest which cannot be detected from the air, and with abundant supply of water from a creek.

Citing revelations of residents in the area, the camp which is being used as a place for training of new recruits, meetings or plenums, has been occupied by the NPA Larangan Gerilya 4 headed by Rodolfo Marayo for two months, he added.

The firefight between an estimated 30 rebels and 61st IB soldiers led to the killing of two insurgents and injuries to five others, Flores said.

Assorted medicines, extortion letters and personal belongings of the fleeing rebels were among the items recovered from the camp, military records show.

Fojas also urged parents to closely monitor the activities of their children, as they may be recruited by the rebel movement.*GPB

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