Army seizes guns, ammo from rebels in Compostela Valley

February 25, 2018 - 10:20 PM
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Some of the high-powered firearms seized by the Army in Compostela Valley. HANDOUT PHOTO

COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Philippines – The Army discovered three arms cachés belonging to CPP-NPA terrorists in three barangays in Compostela Valley, yielding six-high powered firearms (HPFAs), five improvised explosive devices (IEDs), six magazines with ammunition and other war materiél.

Intelligence and information from at least 13 rebels who had earlier surrendered to the 66th Infantry Battalion led to the location of the stash of arms in Barangay Cogonon in New Bataan town, Barangay Maparat and in Barangay Osmeña, Compostela on February 21, 2018.

In an earlier encounter January 20 this year at Sitio Tadya, Barangay Bantacan, in New Bataan, town, the rebels suffered a major blow, with the successful conduct of focused military operations of the 66IB, the Army said in a report Sunday.

The rebels eventually surrendered.

Lieutenant Colonel Palmer M Parungao, Commanding Officer of the 66th Infantry Battalion, lauded the troops for their continuous efforts in defeating the enemies in the area through the reduction of its manpower and equipage. Parungao urge them to sustain the drive.

Meanwhile, Major General Noel S. Clement, Commander 10ID, assured the communities of the continuing efforts of the Division to fight any threat. “We are grateful to the LGUs’ effort to attain the maximum participation of all local leaders and their stakeholders in the pursuit of peace. Your soldiers are here to support the delivery of basic services through the CSP and will remain vigilant in protecting the peace,” he said.