REBEL FIREARMS. Photo shows a collage of high-powered firearms from the New People's Army recovered on Nov. 27 and 28, 2021 in Agusan del Norte and North Cotabato provinces, respectively. The Army said the recent firearms recoveries in Eastern Mindanao were part of the series of operations launched by Eastern Mindanao Command units after getting crucial information from former NPA members and leaders who have surrendered. (Photo from Eastmincom)
DAVAO CITY – Military troops recovered more high-powered firearms from communist New People’s Army (NPA) combatants in separate operations on November 27 and 29 through tip-offs from former rebels, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) reported.
In a statement Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, the Eastmincom commander, said the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID, together with the 65th Infantry Battalion (65IB), recovered two M16 rifles in the hinterland of Sitio Kaunlaran, Barangay Tagbongabong, Agusan del Norte on November 27 following a tip-off from a former rebel.
The tip-off made by Jonel Pasco alias Joel/Gong-gong, a former member of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 21C, Guerrilla Front 21, Sub-Regional Committee Westland, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, led to the recovery of the firearms.
Meanwhile, the 1003rd Infantry Brigade along with 89IB, 72IB, and intelligence units also recovered on November 29 an M16 rifle at Sitio Rancho, Barangay Kulaman Valley, Arakan, North Cotabato during a joint intelligence operation.
“On November 29, a former communist group member identified as Mubo Mansumoy-at alias Ram of the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee disclosed the location of the weapon, prompting the 1003rd Brigade troops to respond to the information,” Almerol said.
Almerol said that the recent recovery of firearms in Eastern Mindanao was part of the series of operations launched by Eastmincom units in response to the various crucial information shared by former NPA members and leaders who have surrendered.
“These accomplishments are also coupled with the skyrocketing number of NPA members and leaders who surrendered recently after suffering major defeats in several encounters with government forces,” he said.
Almerol added that former NPA leaders and members have expressed willingness to cooperate with the government troops in locating more arms caches and pursuing the remaining NPA groups.
“Former NPA leaders and members pledged to support the government’s campaign to end the local communist armed conflict by 2022. The series of arms cache discoveries, surrender of NPA members, and recovery of their firearms in Eastern Mindanao are expected in the coming days as ex-rebels and government troops work closely to put an end to communist armed conflict,” he said.
Almerol cited that one of Eastmincom’s breakthroughs this year was the seizure of 30 high-powered firearms following the discovery of an arms cache during operations launched at Sitio Bagyang, Barangay Upper Suyan in Malapatan, Sarangani from November 11 to 16, 2021.
“It was the largest arms cache discovered by the troops in the whole history of Eastmincom,” he said.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
