BACOLOD City – Philippine Army soldiers found another cache of firearms belonging to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Occidental.
The Dec. 17 special operation carried out by the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) led to the recovery of an M2 carbine rifle with five magazines and an upper receiver of M16 rifle in Sitio Huebesan, Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava town.
Major General Eric Vinoya, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, said the discovery of the firearms brings an advantage to the government troops as they go on intensified combat mode against the CPP-NPA.
“The NPA is infamous for staging attacks not only against government forces but also against civilians during the holiday season. This is a big help to our intensified combat operations as it will prevent them from using these war materiel for their terroristic activities,” he added.
The discovery came exactly three months after troops of 62IB also discovered 12 firearms in the vicinity of Sitio Bungao in Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla.
Vinoya said the latest development also shows the dwindling number of communist-terrorists in Negros Island.
“Their number has significantly declined following the series of surrenders and apprehensions of their leaders and members,” he added./PN
