FORMER communist New Peoples’ Army (NPA) rebel who surrendered to Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion led soldiers to the location of the rebels’ arms storehouse in the hinterlands of Claveria Misamis Oriental on Sunday, a military official said Friday.
Army’s 4th Infantry Division public affairs head Major Rodulfo Cordero said that the NPA guerilla, whose identity was kept for security reasons, guided soldiers to a site where rebels store their firearms.
The items are buried by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) from Sub-Regional Committee 1 North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC), according to Cordero.
Government troops recovered an M1 Carbine Rifle, one Carbine magazine, 12 AK47 magazines, 309 rounds of AK47 ammo, and twelve rounds of R4A1 ammunitions.
While the 58IB conducted immersion in the said Barangay, the troops also discovered one AK47 rifle, five AK47 magazines, 141 rounds of AK47 ammo, five detonating cords with blasting caps, one short magazine for M16, subversive documents, and medical supplies such as assorted medicines and assorted surgical equipment.
58IB commander Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy lauded the troops and recognized the effort of the former rebel for being their partner in peace and development efforts in the said area and the discovery of arms cache.
“This proves that the former rebels are disappointed and tired of the NPA atrocities,” said canatoy adding that this showed that they lifted their support from the communist group to the government.
“Now, they want to return and live with their families in a peaceful and harmonious community,” Canatoy said.
The recovered firearms were brought to the Battalion Headquarters in Sitio Migbanday, Brgy Poblacion, Claveria, Misamis Oriental for proper disposition.
The NPA, together with the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (Ben Balce)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
