Soldiers, cops recover arms cache in remote Albay village

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30, 2024): Soldiers, cops recover arms cache in remote Albay village (By Connie Calipay)

RECOVERED. Photo shows the recovered arms cache in Oas, Albay on Wednesday (May 29, 2024). The war materiel included M16 and M14 rifles and a grenade launcher. (Photo courtesy of PRO-5)

LEGAZPI CITY – Police and military troops have recovered an arms cache consisting of 10 high-powered firearms, assorted magazines and ammunition in a remote area in Barangay Tablon, Oas, Albay, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5) reported on Thursday.

Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, said the war materiel were recovered on Wednesday afternoon upon tip-off from some local residents.

The report said the arms cache is believed to have been buried by Romeo Nepalis, also known as “Ka Bokno/Mar," commanding officer of the New People's Army's Sub-Regional Yunit Guerilla (SRYG); Noel Olavides, also known as "Myra," vice commanding officer, SRYG; and Jeffrey Sesno, also known as "Encrypt/Fox," who was transferred from SRYG, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC), to the Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG1) area.

Recovered were seven M16 rifles: one M16 rifle upper receiver with incomplete accessories; one M203 grenade launcher; one M14 rifle; one sniper rifle (nomenclatures pending identification); assorted magazines and ammunition; and some bandoliers.

Calubaquib said the recovered items would be forwarded to the regional field unit for proper disposition.

PRO5 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Andre P. Dizon said the recovery of the weapons preempts their potential use in activities that could endanger innocent civilians' lives.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225861