Explosives, firearms seized in Army raid in Legazpi

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 21): Explosives, firearms seized in Army raid in Legazpi
 

LEGAZPI CITY- Army soldiers recovered on Wednesday improvised explosives, a 15-meter electrical wire, a 9mm handgun and assorted anti-government documents left behind by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the hinterland of Barangay Cagbacong here, a Philippine Army (PA) officer said.

Army Col. Raul Farnacio, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade here, said the soldiers were on a response mission after residents tipped off the Army about the presence of NPA rebels extorting money and food from the villagers.

The team of Army soldiers, led by 1Lt. Joel Pedregoza, while on combat operation, swooped down a coconut kiln (coprahan) in the village and recovered the explosive devices, wires, hand gun, hammock and anti-government materials left by the fleeing rebels when they sensed that government troopers were arriving.

Army Captain Marjorie Panes, public information officer of the 9th Infantry Division, said in a text message that the rebels belong to the Larangan 1, Komiteng Probinsya, operating in Albay.

Barangay Cagbacong, a remote village here, is about 45 minutes' ride from this city.

The village is a rebel-influenced area and it is a mobility corridor from Albay to Sorsogon province.

Meanwhile, Gilbert Paloma, alias Ka Vic/Ric, a former NPA rebel operating in Albay, surrendered to Lt.Col. Perfecto Penaredondo, commander of the 22nd Infantry Battalion based in the province.

 

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=727630