RECOVERED. Photo shows the recovered arms cache belonging to the New People's Army (NPA)-Komiteng Larangang Guerrilla-Tarlac-Zambales in Barangay Maasin, San Clemente, Tarlac on Thursday (Sept. 15, 2022). The firearms and ammunition were discovered following a tip from a concerned citizen. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 7ID)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Government troops on Thursday discovered and recovered an arms cache of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Maasin, San Clemente, Tarlac.
Soldiers from the 32nd Mechanized Infantry Company, 3rd Mechanized Infantry (Makatarungan) Battalion, 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, 304th Maneuver Company, and 3rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion, together with operatives of the San Clemente Municipal Police Station, found the firearms and ammunition belonging to the NPA-Komiteng Larangang Guerrilla-Tarlac-Zambales (KLG-TarZam) following information provided by a concerned citizen.
Recovered were two M1 Garand rifles, three .40 mm and 7.62mm ammunitions, two M16 magazines, two .45-caliber magazines, an improvised bandolier and medical supplies.
Lt. Col. Jeszer M. Bautista, acting commanding officer of the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said the track down of the arms cache was a result of the harmonious relationship between the community and the Army troops.
This is the fourth discovery of an arms cache by the troops in the province of Tarlac this year.
"Ang mga mamamayan na mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan upang mabawasan hindi lamang ang mga terorista kundi pati na ang kanilang mga armas at kagamitan. Mulat na sila sa panlilinlang ng mga terorista kaya hindi magtatagal ay tuluyan na nating matutunton ang kinaroroonan ng mga terorista (The citizens themselves are finding ways to reduce not only the number of terrorists but also their arms and equipment. They are fully aware of the deceptions being made by the terrorists. Thus, it will not take long that we can trace the whereabouts of the terrorists),” Bautista said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Costelo, commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, lauded the troops and other government security agencies for the untiring effort that led to the discovery of the arms cache.
“As a result of our continuous awareness drive activities, the local community was enlightened about the deception and exploitation of the communist rebels, that is why once they saw unusual activity or any information regarding the rebels, the citizens immediately reported it to the authorities,” Costelo said. (PNA)
