By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) discovered firearms allegedly owned by the New People’s Army (NPA) in a forested area of Sitio Huebesan, Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental last week.
The cache included an M2 carbine rifle with five magazines and an upper receiver of M16 rifle, according to the Army.
It was discovered following a special operation of the 79th IB in response to information provided by the local populace on the location of the said hidden firearms.
Major General Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said the discovery of the NPA arms cache is advantageous on the part of the government troopers, who are now in intensified combat mode against the NPA.
Vinoya said it is an indication of the dwindling number of the NPAs in Negros.
“Their number is significantly declining following the series of surrenders and apprehensions of their leaders and members in Negros Island recently. They are on the run! And may have refused to fight and just hide their rifles; hence, they now have excess war material,” Vinoya said.
Vinoya said the discovery of their arms cache is a big help to the intensified combat operations, particularly in preventing them from using war material in launching terroristic activities during this season.
On September 17, an NPA arms cache containing 12 various firearms was also discovered by the 62nd IB at Sitio Bungao, Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla town.
