GOVERNMENT troops seized 10 firearms and other war materiel of the New People’s Army (NPA) in separate operations in Quezon and Oriental Mindoro, the military said.
“The discovery of the arms caches thwarted the possible plans of the communist terrorist group to harass and terrorize innocent communities in the area,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrex Molina, spokesman of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division.
Seven of the firearms were recovered by troops from the Army’s 80th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Madaki, Barangay Umiray in General Nakar, Quezon last Sunday, said Molina.
The firearms were composed of two M16 rifles, an M4 carbine, an M203 Grenade launcher, two improvised shotguns, and an improvised M14 rifle.
Also seized were two bandoliers, nine magazines for M16, and numerous rounds of ammunition.
Molina said the war materiel was recovered based on information from a civilian tipster.
Last Wednesday, troops from the Army’s 4th Infantry Battalion also recovered an M16 rifle, an M14 rifle, and a shotgun during an operation in Barangay Panaytayan in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.
Also recovered were the upper receiver of a Garand rifle, six magazines for M16 and M14 rifles, 180 rounds of ammunition, and three blasting caps.
Molina said soldiers were conducting a security operation in the area when a resident reported the location of the firearms and war materiel buried by the rebels.
The military aims to end the insurgency problem before the end of the year. Around 1,000 rebels are operating throughout the country, based on military estimates.
