Kalinaw News: 50 caliber rifle, guns, anti-personnel mine tipped off by former rebels in Southern Mindanao

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 4, 2021): 50 caliber rifle, guns, anti-personnel mine tipped off by former rebels in Southern Mindanao



MAWAB, DAVAO DE ORO – Three former rebels together with the troops of 701st Brigade, 48th, 66th, 67th Battalions under 10th Infantry Division, and other law enforcement agencies led the troops during the recovery of four high powered firearms, anti-personnel mine during a separate operation in Agusan Del Sur and Davao Oriental last December 3, 2021.

Former Weakened Guerilla Front 18 (WGF 18) members aided troops in locating and unearthing one (1) Cal 7.62 M14 Rifle, one (1) Cal 5.56 M16 Elisco Rifle, and one (1) Cal 5.56 Bushmaster Rifle during the conduct of joint operations of 701st Infantry Brigade, 66th and 48th Infantry Battalions at Sitio Magkilo, Brgy Marayag, Lupon, Davao Oriental.

Also, another recently surrendered rebel to 48th Infantry Battalion helped the troops capture one (1) Caliber 50mm Sniper Rifle with 25 rounds of ammo, and subversive documents at Sitio 1K, Brgy Bunawan Brooks, Bunawan, Agusan Del Sur. Meanwhile, one (1) anti-personnel mine was recovered in the location of Sitio Bagong Silang, Brgy Bayugan 3, Rosario of the same province.

Also present during the operation were the troops of Regional Mobile Force Battalion 11, RPSB Cluster 8, Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office, and intel units of the Airforce.

Furthermore, another three (3) high-powered firearms namely; one (1) M16, one (1) M203 grenade launcher, one (1) Garand rifle and other war materiel were recovered by the troops of 73IB under the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, 102MICO and K9 Team at Sitio Kalnge, Brgy. Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province on the same date. Said arms cache was pinpointed by alias Uyo who surrendered to the troops of 73IB also bringing along with him one (1) M14 rifle last December 2.

“We are thankful for the cooperation of former NPAs who truly abandoned the belief of communist armed struggle. Their efforts to assist our troops by providing information on the whereabouts of their firearms is a strong gesture that they no longer believe that violent arms struggle is the solution to their communities’ problems. Our convergence efforts through the programs of National and Local Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), progress and improvement of livelihood of the communities in former NPA guerilla bases are happening,” Colonel Oliver C Maquiling said.

Colonel Maquiling also assured that the 701st Brigade will go after the NPA as part of their mandate that is to end insurgency, especially in their area of operations.

10th Infantry “Agila” Division Commander MGen Ernesto C Torres Jr, on the other hand, lauds the troops for their continuous efforts and accomplishments alongside the former rebels during the final push of the government in the total eradication of armed operations of the Communist NPA Terrorists in the area of 10ID.

“The series of recovery of high-powered guns by our troops with the help of the rescued former rebels is a clear manifestation of a weakening leadership of the Communist Terrorist Group. Peaceful means of surrender remain a priority. However, your Agila Troopers will continue to uphold its mandate in protecting communities under any eventualities. Indeed, we are on track on totally defeating the CTG here in Southern Mindanao.”

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