Ex-NPA rebel tips off location of arms cache in Agusan Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 4, 2023): Ex-NPA rebel tips off location of arms cache in Agusan Norte (By Alexander Lopez)

RECOVERED FIREARMS. The surrender of three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Jan. 1, 2023 leads to the recovery of seven high-powered firearms and a generator set in Barangay Cuyago, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte. The three NPA rebels surrendered to the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion. (Photo courtesy of 29IB)

BUTUAN CITY – A communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebel who recently surrendered to the military led the government troops to the location of high-powered firearms stashed in the hinterlands of Jabonga town, Agusan del Norte.

Brig. Gen. George Banzon, the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade commander, said Maximo Fuentes Sr., one of three NPA fighters who surrendered on Jan. 1, pinpointed the site of the buried NPA arms cache in Barangay Cuyago, Jabonga.

Recovered from the site were five M16 rifles, an M4 rifle, a 40mm grenade launcher, and a generator set.

Vibas yielded to the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) along with his live-in partner Jennifer Tison Gagbo, and another rebel identified as Nelboy Nanoy Yubos.

The surrenderers are members of the weakened NPA Sentro De Grabidad Guerrilla Front 16, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

During their surrender in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, the rebels also turned over a 5.56 Magpul rifle.

“This accomplishment is another breakthrough in our relentless effort in pursuing the diminishing numbers of NPA following the series of neutralization of seasoned cadres in the province,” Banzon said.

In a separate statement, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag, lauded the local government units and the communities in Agusan del Norte for their contributions to the continuing negotiations to bring back more rebels to the fold of the law.

“The decision to surrender is a welcome development after the death of the founding leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which left a vacuum and lack of direction of the communist terrorist group,” Mamawag said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191941