Rebel weapons recovered in Negros Oriental; 2 NPAs surrender to Army units in Panay

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16): Rebel weapons recovered in Negros Oriental; 2 NPAs surrender to Army units in Panay

The Capiz-based 3rd Infantry Division through its intensified internal peace and security operations have recovered eight firearms; while two rebels have abandoned the armed struggle, all in one week time.

Around 6:30 a.m. on Monday, troops from the 11th Infantry Battalion recovered two M-16 rifles hidden by the New People's Army (NPA) in a cache at Sitio Cabadiangan, Barangay Pantiao in Majuyod, Negros Oriental.

The soldiers were conducting a community security patrol when they received reports regarding the presence of the NPA arms cache.

Also on the same day in Panay, troops of 61st Infantry Battalion recovered one Garand rifle and a sniper scope at Sitio Tigbauaun, Barangay Trangka, Maasin, Iloilo; while on Tuesday, the troops recovered another four homemade shotguns and a hand grenade at Sitio Inaman of same village.

The recovery of the weapons was the result of follow on operations in pursuit of the NPA band that were encountered by the government forces last March 9 in the above-mentioned village.

Meanwhile, two NPA fighters and members of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Panay have voluntarily surrendered on Monday and Tuesday.

“We in the Armed Forces of the Philippines welcome our two long lost brother and sister with open arms as they integrate in the mainstream society. Together with the local government officials and other stakeholders, we will help and assist these two and those other NPA members who would want to go down in order to live peacefully together with their families," 3rd Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Harold Cabreros said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=867019