In Balbalan, Kalinga, a recent discovery by government troops unveiled an abandoned camp that was previously used by the New People's Army, a communist insurgent group.
Soldiers from the 503rd Infantry "Peace and Justice" Brigade stumbled upon this encampment in the village of Gawaan, Balbalan, approximately 300 meters away from another NPA hideout that had been found by the army in the same area back in February 2023.
The makeshift shelter appeared to have the capacity to house approximately 15 individuals, judging by the materials and structures present.
During the operation, the army confiscated two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two sets of firing devices, IED wires, a 9mm caliber magazine, kitchen utensils, pregnancy test kits, and various subversive documents.
It is presumed that the NPA members abandoned the camp due to their diminishing strength and resources.
As a reminder, in a previous engagement between government troops and members of the Komiteng Larangan Guerilla-Baggas and the Regional Sentro De Gravidad-Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee on March 9 at Sitio Babacong in Gawaan, Balbalan, a rebel commander was killed, and two high-powered firearms were seized.
