53IB clashes with NPA rebels, captures enemy main camp Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur

    Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur (6 February) -- The combined elements of Charlie Company under 1Lt Rafael L. Balincamaya and 2Lt Leo L. Cadalig and Bravo Company under 2Lt Edwin V Marcial, both under the 53rd Infantry (MATAPAT) Battalion, 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division, Philippine Army encountered a group of Communist Terrorists (CTs) at the vicinity Brgy. Guibo, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte last January 31, 2009 which eventually led to the capture of an enemy main camp

    Lt. Col. Samuel B. Gayongorsa, Commander of 53rd IB said that the troops were conducting security operations at the aforementioned barangay when they encountered more or less thirty (30) CTs believed to be members of RSDG1, ROC, WMRPC under CT Leader Romanito Sumasay aka Guzman. The firefight resulted to the death of an unidentified CT member while government troops suffered no casualties.

    While conducting pursuit operations, the troops again encountered the same group of CTs at Sitio Masamaya, Brgy. Pangi, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte on February 01, 2009. The intermittent firefight resulted to the discovery of a suspected enemy camp at the area.

    At around 3 o'clock of February 02, 2009, the operating troops captured the main CT camp which is fortified by barricades. The camp consists of twenty (25) bunkers, bleachers, a lecture hall, and living quarters. Several CT personal belongings, voluminous subversive documents and empty shells of 60mm link, 40mm and 5.56mm were likewise recovered in the said camp.

    The enemy, who suffered an undetermined number of casualties managed to scamper and withdraw to different directions.

    The CTs under CTL Romanito Sumasay aka Guzman were responsible for several anti-government propaganda and extortion activities not only in the province of Zamboanga del Sur but also in many parts of Zamboanga del Norte. The successful conduct of sustained security operations by 53rd IB likewise have destroyed and averted the Communist Terrorists' future plans of conducting violent activities not only against government installations but also innocent civilians.

        MGen Nehemias G Pajarito, Commander of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army congratulated the operating troops of 53rd IB under     the     command of Lt Col Samuel B Gayongorsa and the 102nd Bde under Col Alexander B Dicang for the job well done. "You have displayed your     selfless     and untiring effort in our noble pursuit for peace and development in this part of the region. Keep up the good work," Pajarito added.     (PIA9-Pagadian     City)