NPA arms cache discovered in Camarines Norte

 NPA arms cache discovered in Camarines Norte

amp Capinpin, Rizal - An arms cache of the terrorist NPA consisting of high-powered firearms was discovered by the combined troops of the Army’s 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division (2ID) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Labo, Camarines Norte, this morning, January 9.

Following the revelation by an undisclosed resident of Brgy. Exciban, combined elements of the 16th Infantry Battalion (16IB) and Labo Municipal Police Office (LMPO), prompted to conduct search operations to the area where the hidden armed cache of NPA terrorists is located, according to the report.

Around 9 o’clock in the morning when they discovered the cache and unearthed two cal. 30 machine guns, four M16 rifles, two M14 rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, 200 rounds of ammunition, one improvised anti-personnel explosive device, 22 hand grenades, one roll of detonating cord, and 10 magazines.

Major General Cerilo Balaoro Jr., the 2ID commander, thanked the people of Brgy. Exciban for continuously cooperating and supporting the government’s peace advocacy.

He further emphasized that the people’s vigilance and continued effort to report unusual and suspicious activities that might endanger the peace and safety of their community are the reasons why peace is achievable.

“The success of the government’s campaigns in achieving peace relies largely on the trust and support of the people,” Major General Balaoro said.

He also said that the noteworthy achievement amply demonstrates how the terrorist CPP-NPA’s aim to sow terror, divisiveness, and destroy peace in Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions has weakened.

“The continuous discovery of  arms caches, which started last year, is an attestation of the weakening of the operational capacity of the terrorist NPA, as it disrupts their plans to conduct violent activities against our peace-loving people,” says Major General Balaoro.

Various stakeholders have concurred on how effective streamlining of the Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in addressing the issues in the countryside that led to the collapse of their organization, making the 2ID continuously partner with other government and non-government agencies to intensify its security efforts against the remaining insurgents in the area.