Firearms recovered from ex-rebel

BUTUAN CITY , Philippines  – Authorities recovered three rifles and bomb-making materials from a New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla who surrendered to authorities in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur on Friday.

The guerrilla reportedly led the military to Barangay Padiay where the firearms were kept, according to 1/Lt. Roel Maglalang, civil military operations officer of the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion.

“During the briefing, the surrenderee disclosed significant information pointing to the exact location of the firearms, war materials and assorted personal belongings,” Maglalang said.

The guerrilla, identified only as Marco, was the latest among hundreds of rebels in  Caraga Region who surrendered to authorities since January.

Maglalang attributed the increase of rebel-surrenderees to the government’s “whole-of-nation approach” in ending the armed conflict.

The rebels were offered livelihood, financial assistance, scholarships, housing, and free legal assistance under the enhanced comprehensive local integration program.