ORMOC CITY– Several high-powered firearms belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) were recently recovered by government troops in a remote village in Jipapad, Eastern Samar.
Report from the 8th Infantry Division, based in Catbalogan City, Samar said that the recovery of the cache of firearms on June 18 was the result of information from a former rebel.
The recovered firearms were buried in a pit in Barangay Agsaman, a hinterland village about 10 kms away from the town proper of Jipapad.
The report added that the soldiers, belonging to the 52nd Infantry Battalion, recovered two AK47 rifles, one M14 rifle, a shotgun, four anti-personnel mines, two magazines of AK47 and M14, 140 rounds of ammunitions of AK47, and 75 cartridges of 7.62mm ball for M14.
The discovery and recovery of the firearms were made by a former rebel, identified as alias ‘Artem’ who led the soldiers to the location where the firearms were buried.
Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th ID, lauded the recovery of the firearms and the surrender of the former rebel.
He then asked the remaining active rebel members to surrender and return to the folds of the law.
“We welcome the surrender of alias Artem and we are hoping that the other members of the NPA will also do the same,” he said.
“It is not too late to surrender, return to the folds of the law and make use of the different government assistance as you start your life anew,” Ligayo added.
Artem, as a rebel surrenderee, is expected to receive government assistance under the local social integration program (LSIP) and enhanced comprehensive local integration program (E-CLIP), among others, as he returns to normal life.(ROBERT DEJON)
