Information from two recently surrendered New People's Army (NPA) leaders led soldiers to the location of a buried arms cache in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro on Thursday, January 11, 2023.

Troops of the 76th Infantry “Victrix” Battalion were acting on relevant information from the platoon leader of the remnants of Platoon GMT and a vice squad leader of the remnants of Platun ICM both from the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee regarding an arms cache buried at Sitio Magud in Barangay Malo. This led to the recovery of an M16 Rifle and two anti-personnel mines.

In a statement, the 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division Commander Maj. Gen. Roberto S. Capulong lauded the former NPA leaders who chose to abandon armed struggle and cooperate with government forces to bring genuine peace and progress to the communities.

He added that the successful recovery of the arms cache was a testament on the effectiveness of the local peace initiatives of the LGUs in the region.

Maj. Gen. Capulong then urged the remaining NPA members to abandon the violent ideologies of the CPP-NPA-NDF, adding that the government will fully support those who choose the path of peace, rehabilitation, and reintegration into mainstream society. (2IB)