TUBO, Abra June 22 – Government forces were able to seize assorted firearms from an alleged arms cache of the New Peoples Army (NPA) which was discovered during a joint operation that was conducted at sitio Batayan, barangay Alangtin here recently.
Reports from the military and police authorities stated that an intelligence operation was launched by personnel of 71st Infantry Battalion (IB), 7th ID; 69th IB; 73rd MICO of the Philippine Army and Abra PNP after former NPA rebels revealed an arms cache hidden in the area.
The weapons recovered were 2 7.62mm Springfield Rifle with defaced serial numbers; 1 M1 Garand Rifle with one clip loaded with 3 live ammos; 1 Carbine Rifle with 1 magazine loaded with 9 live ammos; 1 12-Gauge Shotgun and 1 cal. 38 revolver loaded with 3 live ammos.
The recovered firearms were placed under the custody of the Advanced Command Post (ACP) of 71st IB, Barangay Alfonso, Gregorio Del Pilar, Ilocos Sur for documentation and safekeeping.
The successful operation was partly due to the intensified Community Support Program (CSP) of the Philippine Army and the PNP, and the cooperation of the surrenderees whose desire for a peaceful life and courage prompted them to reveal the location of the enemy arms cache. By Hent
