3 AK-47 rifles recovered on tip by rebel returnees

From the Mindanao Times (Mar 8): 3 AK-47 rifles recovered on tip by rebel returnees

THREE HIGH-POWERED firearms were recovered by soldiers of the 25th Infantry Battalion and 67th IB in a joint operation at the vicinity of Palo 20, Barangay Rizal, Manay in Davao Oriental on Wednesday morning.

Capt. Allan Apara, the civil-military operations (CMO) officer of the 25th IB, told TIMES that the recovery of the three AK-47 rifles was due to the information volunteered by rebel returnees who personally buried the arms cache in a previous operation in Manay.

Lt. Col. Oscar B. Balignasay Jr, the commander of the 25th IB, said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue its mandate to free the communities from the influence and control of the New People’s Army.

“We will not lower our guard against any armed threat that can harm the peaceful lives of our people,” he added.

On the other hand, close to 700 individuals from the 10 barangays of Monkayo surrendered to the 25th IB on Tuesday. Balignasay said they were members of the underground supporters of the NPA. Of that total, 418 were already interviewed by combined elements of 25th IB and the Monkayo police.

On the Wednesday morning also, another 804 surrendered to the soldiers in the 10 other barangays of Monkayo. Balignasay said Barangay Casoon had the highest number of surrenderees with a total of 263.

http://mindanaotimes.net/3-ak-47-rifles-recovered-on-tip-by-rebel-returnees/