Army seizes two rifles after tip of returnees

From the Mindanao Times (Mar 20): Army seizes two rifles after tip of returnees

TWO HIGH-POWERED firearms were recovered by soldiers of the 66th Infantry Battalion in barangays Pagsabangan and Manurigao, both of New Bataan, Compostela Valley last March 14.

Lt. Col. Palmer Parungao, the commander of 66th IB, told TIMES that the recovery of the firearms was made possible through the tip from one of the rebel returnees.

“The recent surrenders of the regular guerrilla fighters and its (NPA) mass supporters clearly manifest the downfall of the armed and political components of Guerrilla Front 25 … operating in New Bataan and Compostela of Compostela Valley,” Parungao said.

They recovered an M16 rifle with defaced serial number along with the attached M203 grenade launcher (serial number 107785), one magazine 20-cap with six cartridges of 5.56mm in Purok 3, Sitio Mainit, Barangay Pagsabangan.

Meanwhile, one Ultimax 100 Mark 3, Cal. 5.56mm LMG (SN:182731) with four 30-cap magazines and 20 cartridges of 5.56mm ball were also found in Sitio Kabitian, Barangay Manurigao.

“With the continuing success of the battalion, I enjoin everyone to keep focused on what we are doing. Let us sustain our gains and put them to an end,” he further said.

Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, commander of 10th Infantry Division, said that more needs to be done for the communities to achieve lasting peace.

“Rest assured that your army will continue in running after the remaining members of the group and we will render them insignificant,” Clement said. “In this way, we will triumph against the members of the armed group who are posing threat to the lives of the Filipino people.”

http://mindanaotimes.net/army-seizes-two-rifles-after-tip-of-returnees/