The encounter between about 30 suspected New People's Army rebels and patrolling soldiers of the 61st Infantry Battalion on Tuesday in Santa Catalina, Oriental Negros, led to the discovery and seizure of another rebel training camp.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st IB commander, yesterday said the training camp is located in the creek line of Sitio Haluay, Brgy. Nagbinlod, Santa Catalina, and can accommodate at least 100 persons.

The 30-minute gunbattle also resulted in the arrest of a certain Rowell Lastimoso, alias Tata, and the recovery of a .357 magnum revolver and homemade shotgun from his possession, Flores said.

Soldiers of the 61st IB Bravo Company who were pursuing fleeing rebels led by Misael de la Cruz, alias Ka Jimlan, yesterday recovered an M-16 assault rifle with a magazine containing ammunition, hidden beneath a bunker of the discovered NPA training camp, Capt. Renante Besa, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said.

The recovery of three more firearms brought to 11 the number of guns recovered by the 61st Infantry Battalion from two rival communist rebel factions in southern Negros since last month.

Besa said three more high-powered firearms were also recovered from an arrested insurgent by soldiers of the 78th Infantry Battalion in San Remegio, Cebu, on Tuesday.

Last month, 61st IB soldiers also overran a rebel training camp in Brgy. Camalanda-an, Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

The 61st and 78th IB are among the operating units of the 3rd Infantry Division stationed in Western and Central Visayas.

Flores said the Santa Catalina encounter may have foiled the ongoing training of new NPA recruits in southern Negros, who are reportedly slated to complete their basic military training this month.

The New People's Army is celebrating its 27th founding anniversary on March 29.

Flores said they will continue to press their combat operations against the New People's Army in southern Negros, to pre-empt the possible launching of rebel tactical offensives, in connection with its founding anniversary.*GPB

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