BACOLOD CITY — Troops from the Philippine Army's 94th Infantry Battalion has found an abandoned lair of the New People's Army in the hinterlands of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

According to 94IB commander Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, his men discovered the NPA hideout in Sitio Tara, Barangay Tan-awan Thursday based on the information provided by locals being harassed by armed rebels for food.

"We are thankful that the masses are now cooperating with the government forces," said Almonte, adding that the hideout can accommodate at least 20 individuals and was also possibly used to train NPA recruits.

Items recovered from the rebel hideout included a back pack, hammock, pair of boots, personal belongings and subversive documents.