Military: No recycling of NPA guns for show

From the Manila Times (Aug 20, 2021): Military: No recycling of NPA guns for show (By Cris Diaz)

CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental: The military on Thursday belied insinuations firearms surrendered by communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels are being recycled to gain media mileage.

Major Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., commander of the Fourth Infantry Division, made the statement on Thursday during the presentation of 14 surrendered assorted high-powered guns at the headquarters of the Philippine Army's 58th Infantry Battalion (58th IB) here.

Brawner said the firearms, still serviceable, were processed to determine if the NPA rebels who had turned over the guns were authentic.

He said the validation of the weapons was done by the intelligence task force from the military.

‘NEW’ LIFE The 58th Infantry Battalion in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, on Thusday presents 14 assorted high-powered firearms turned over by New People’s Army rebels, who had surrendered to the military in July 2021. PHOTO BY CRIS DIAZ

According to Brawner, the firearms were scheduled to be demilitarized or destroyed.

Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy, commanding officer of the 58th IB, said the guns were turned over by nine NPA rebels, including a ranking rebel officer, who surrendered on July 26, 2021.

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Canatoy said eight of the high-powered firearms were recovered after the rebels disclosed a hidden arms cache.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/20/news/regions/military-no-recycling-of-npa-guns-for-show/1811633