Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: 8ID: Troops unearth arms cache and explosives in Eastern Samar

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

8ID: Troops unearth arms cache and explosives in Eastern Samar

Posted to the 8th Infantry "Stormtrooper" Division Facebook Page (Sep 5, 2023): Troops unearth arms cache and explosives in Eastern Samar

8th Infantry "Stormtroopers" Division, Philippine Army

Troops unearth arms cache and explosives in Eastern Samar

CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The troops of the 78th Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry Division discovered and unearthed a buried arms cache in the hinterlands of Barangay San Andres (Lower), Borongan City, Eastern Samar on August 27, 2023.

Seized were one M16 rifle, two International Humanitarian Law (IHL)-banned Anti-Personnel Mines (APMs), and several subversive documents.

The troops conducted the operation after residents of the said barangay divulged the location of the arms cache that lead to the recovery of the said war materiel.

It can be recalled that the members of the CPP-NPA-NDF’s underground mass organizations (UGMOs) in the said barangay previously declared their withdrawal of support from the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) and support allegiance to the government before Borongan City Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) Chair, Mayor Jose Ivan Agda last August 19, 2023.

Meanwhile, on the same day, August 27, a former member of the Unit Militia or part-time CPP-NPA member identified as alias Athan, surrendered to the troops of the 63rd Infantry Battalion bringing his Cal .38 revolver, two improvised shotguns, two magazines of M16 rifle, 37 rounds of 5.56mm ammunitions, an EPSON digital projector, medical equipment, and 14 acupuncture needles at Sitio Bagti, Brgy. Mabini, Basey, Samar.

The Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Major General Camilo Z Ligayo lauded the cooperation of the residents and the former rebels to help and work hand-in-hand with the government in solving the insurgency problem.

Maj. Gen. Ligayo also called on the general public to support and be one with the government in advocating peace and socio-economic development.

“The insurgency problem is not a sole responsibility of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police but is shared by every member of the society. Let us actively support the programs of the local government to peacefully resolve the problem in insurgency. Let us encourage everybody to follow the path of peace. Let us condemn those who advocate violence and the use of arms,” Maj.Gen.Ligayo expressed.