ARMS CACHE. Rodel Mandel (center), a former combatant of the dismantled New People’s Army Guerilla Front 18, reveals to government troopers the location of the rebels' hidden firearms in Barangay Magdug, Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, on Sept. 27, 2022. At least five high-powered firearms were unearthed at the site. (Photo courtesy of 10ID)
DAVAO CITY – Government troops found an arms cache of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) said Thursday.
Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin, the 10ID chief, said troopers from the Army’s 701st Infantry Brigade (701IB) recovered five firearms in the area Wednesday based on the revelation of Rodel Mandel, an ex-member of the defunct NPA Guerilla Front (GF) 18.
Mandel surrendered on Sept. 26 to the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion and revealed the location of the firearms in Barangay Magdug, Governor Generoso.
"This extraordinary accomplishment manifests the untiring effort and dedication of the officers and enlisted personnel not only of the 701IB but of the whole 10ID," Mempin said.
Recovered at the site were an M16 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher, three Carbine rifles, and other war matériel.
Mempin lauded the 701IB under Brig. Gen. Oliver Maquiling for the successful operation.
On Sept. 20, the Peace and Order Council of Davao Oriental declared the province insurgency-free following the dismantling of NPA GF 18.
Two other NPA units operating in the province – the GF South and GF North – were earlier declared dismantled. (PNA)
