Soldiers recover more high-powered firearms

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 17): Soldiers recover more high-powered firearms

Soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion pursuing the fleeing New People’s Army rebels recovered four more high-powered firearms in another encounter Sunday at Sitio Dhalia, Brgy. Puey in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

The recovery of three M-14 assault rifles and an AK-47 Kalashnikov rifle brought to nine the number of high-powered guns, including the three M-16 armalite rifles and two .45 caliber pistols, seized by government troopers in two days of sporadic armed clashes at the boundary of Brgy. Puey, Sagay City, and Brgy. Bug-ang, Toboso, military records show.

Lt. Col. Efren Morados, 62IB commander, said yesterday that a group of NPA rebels returned to the encounter site, to retrieve their hidden firearms not knowing that some of his soldiers were still in the area.

Morados said a brief firefight ensued, and the rebels fled, leaving behind the four high-powered firearms, 146 rounds of ammunition and a back pack containing personal belongings.

The encounter Saturday also led to the arrest of two suspected NPA rebels identified as Rene Villarin, alias Ka Juan, and Richard Gallego, alias Ka Jamil, who are now locked up at the Toboso police jail, pending the filing of charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives against them.

Aside from the nine high-powered firearms, Army soldiers also recovered a rifle grenade, a box full of ammunition for AK-47 assault rifles and an M-203 grenade launcher, among other war materials, military records also showed.

Based on the information of their “asset”, Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that one of the fleeing injured rebels died, due to lack of medical attention.

Aying said he has placed on standby an Army medical team to treat the injured rebels who surrender and seek medical assistance. An Army ambulance is now stationed at the 62IB headquarters in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday commended the Philippine Army for their accomplishment in northern Negros. “That goes to show that they are doing their job”. Marañon said.

At the same time, he reiterated his call for the remaining rebels hiding in the mountains of Negros to join him in the fight against poverty, and not against each other.

Residents of remote sitios of Brgy.Bug-ang, Toboso were among those recently benefitted by the “Marching for Peace, Serving the Countrysides” project of the Provincial Peace and Integration Development Unit, of which the 303rd Infantry Brigade is a member.

Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, 3rd Infantry Division commander, in a statement he issued, thanked residents of the hinterland barangays for providing information, that led to the successful operations against the lawless group.

“As we continue with our follow-up operations, our soldiers are instructed to strictly follow the rule of make the safety of our people a primary consideration,” Baladad said.

At the same time, he encouraged the NPA to lay down their guns, avail of the AFP Guns for Peace program, and join the mainstream society and live peacefully with their families.

Under the AFP Guns for Peace Program, Baladad said the government is paying P200,000 for a light machine gun, P50,000 for a M-16 rifle, P60,000 for a M-14 rifle and P40,000 for a M-203 grenade launcher.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/September/17/topstory1.htm