Kalinaw News: Army in Bicol Sustains Momentum Against the NPA, Discovers Arms Cache in Albay

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 21, 2021): Army in Bicol Sustains Momentum Against the NPA, Discovers Arms Cache in Albay



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-Government troops discovered an arms cache belonging to the CPP-NPA-NDF in the hinterlands of Barangay San Antonio, Oas, Albay around 3 o’clock in the morning, Wednesday, April 21.

Included in the arms cache are caliber 5.56 bushmaster rifle, caliber 5.56 Colt AR-15 rifle, eight magazines, 187 rounds of ammunition, bandolier and terrorist propaganda materials.

Prior to this, elements of the 9th Infantry Division’s 49th Infantry Battalion (49IB) were conducting security operations after some concerned citizens reported about the suspicious things left by the Communist Terrorist Group members in Sitio Tinahuban when they chanced upon the said war materiel.

Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tapnio, Commanding Officer of 49IB said that with the discovery and capture of the said firearms and propaganda materials, violence and recruitment schemes of the CPP-NPA-NDF will be prevented.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga residenteng tumulong at nakipag-ugnayan sa atin. Kung hindi natin ito nakuha, gagamitin na naman ito ng mga komunistang terorista laban sa tropa ng gobyerno at sa mga inosenteng sibilyan,” Lieutenant Colonel Tapnio said.

Meanwhile, Colonel Jaime Abawag Jr., Brigade Commander of the 902nd Infantry Brigade directed the troops to continue scouring the area as the presence of the arms cache is an indication that NPA terrorists are up to something.

“The Communist Terrorist Group doesn’t go to an area without an ill motive. Keeping their firearms in the said place means that they are just around the corner, lying in wait to launch their lawless acts. Pero hindi natin hahayaan mangyari ‘yan. Sa patuloy na pakikipagtulungan ng mga Bicolano, hindi mangyayari ‘yan,” Colonel. Abawag said.

It was seconded by Major General Henry A Robinson Jr. PA, Commander of the 9ID and Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) who also reminded the public to be vigilant.

“Hindi pa nga isang araw, may score na naman tayo. Isali pa natin ‘yong nasamsam na kilo-kilong anti-personnel mines at nadiskubre nating illegal mining site na kinukontrol ng NPA sa Lagonoy. With these losses, the Communist Terrorist Group will surely retaliate in a desperate manner to cover-up their waning capability. That is why we are implementing stringent security measures all over Bicol to thwart any possible terroristic acts of this communist insurgents,” Major General Robinson said.

Yesterday, two M16 rifles, magazines and ammunition were also recovered after the successful military engament in Masbate.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-in-bicol-sustains-momentum-against-the-npa-discovers-arms-cache-in-albay/