Former rebels reveal NPA arms cache in Zamboanga del Norte to military

September 25, 2020

Government troops on Friday recovered eight high-powered firearms after former rebels revealed their arms cache in Zamboanga del Norte to the military.

Capt. Clint Antipala, public affairs chief of the 1st Infantry Division, said the NPA fighters who surrendered recently to the 97th Infantry Battalion gave up their cal. 50mm sniper Barrett rifle, M79 grenade launcher and six AK47 with 14  magazines and ammunition to the military in Brgy. Guibo Siayan.

Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing, commander of the 97th IB,  said the former rebels were mostly members of Main Regional Guerilla Unit (MRGU),  a special unit of the NPA in Western Mindanao.

Boransing said the quality or caliber of the firearms they had described who they were.

"The revelation of arms cache was after their custodial debriefing. They've also showed their sincerity of their surrender and guided our troops to the location of firearms", he said.

"They are notorious in conducting tactical offensives, extortion and atrocities, armed with high -caliber firearms used to scare locals in the communities not supporting them", he added.

Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade , said the troops treated the former rebels to earn  their trust and confidence which resulted in revealing the arms cache.

“We are very thankful that these former rebels who were also victims of wrong ideology are now collaborating with us now and denounced the armed struggle to achieve a brighter future for them and for their families," Nicolas said. Robina Asido/DMS