Kalinaw News: 802nd Infantry Brigade Troopers Recovers 2 Firearms in Leyte

Posted to Kalinaw News (Feb 18, 2023): 802nd Infantry Brigade Troopers Recovers 2 Firearms in Leyte

Camp Jorge Downes, Ormoc City, Leyte – On February 17, 2023, troops of 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion while on combat operations in the hinterlands of Brgy Bunga, Baybay City, Leyte discovered an arms cache and recovered One (1) US rifle Cal 5.56 mm Colt M16 rifle and One (1) US rifle Cal .30 M1 Carbine magazines ammunition.

“The discovery of this arms cache is the result of the continuing support of the Former Rebels (FRs) who are now members of the Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association (IPDWA), former Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) mass supporters and civilian populace as they revealed and report the possible CTG hideout in our area of operations.” Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto R Dela Rosa Jr., Battalion Commander, 14th Infantry Battalion elaborated.

Brigadier General Noel A. Vestuir, Commander, 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army lauded the troops of 14th Infantry Battalion for their hard work, perseverance and continued efforts in tracking down the remnants of the terrorist NPA in the area. He also expressed his sincere appreciation to the members of IPDWA and the local residents in the area for giving the information on the location of the hidden arms cache. BGen Vestuir said, “the discovery of the hidden fire arms is an indication that NPA terrorists are on the run and continue to evade from the operating government troops. With the help of their former comrades and the people who are their former mass base, time will come that we would corner these NPA terrorists.”

Vestuir reiterates his call to the remaining NPAs who still continue to hide in the mountains to surface, lay down their arms and join their families in the comfort of their homes and as part of peace-loving Filipino society. “Your violent communist ideology is no longer welcomed by the people in the communities since they are already with us in our efforts to end this 54-year local communist armed conflict. They are now giving us the information on your whereabouts, the locations of your arms cache and even the foods that you hide and prepositioned in the area. You could not hide us forever. You could not survive by evading us without food, without the support of the people who you consider as your mass base, and you could not fight us without your firearms. Better avail the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) being offered by the government, than continue to suffer from hunger, fatigue and all the dangers while hiding in the mountains.” Vestuir concluded.

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