NPA arms cache recovered in Kalinga

MANILA, Philippines - Soldiers have recovered an arms cache of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Kalinga, one of the provinces declared “insurgency-free” by the military.

Maj. Emmanuel Garcia, chief of the Armed Forces’ 1st Civil Relations Group, said the arms cache, consisting of an M-16 rifle, a Garand rifle, a carbine rifle and a Springfield rifle, was discovered in Barangay Magnao in Tabuk town Tuesday night.

“The successful recovery of the arms cache stemmed from persistent information coming from several local residents,” Garcia said.

“Authorities believe this is a manifestation of the dwindling number of NPA remnants who were forced to hide their firearms to avoid arrest,” he added.

Garcia clarified that the “insurgency-free” declaration does not necessarily mean zero presence of rebels.

He said such a declaration means that the rebellion in an area has weakened and could no longer overthrow the local leadership.

Meanwhile, members of the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion encountered some 20 NPA rebels in Tubay, Agusan del Norte yesterday morning.

Lt. Col. Adonis Ariel Orio, 29th IB commander, said the rebels withdrew after 20 minutes of gun battle. Soldiers recovered an AK 47, an improvised explosive and three backpacks with personal belongings and subversive documents.