ANOTHER food cache allegedly owned by the New People's Army (NPA) was unearthed by troops of the 88th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Pantaron, Banlag, Valencia City, Bukidnon province last March 9.
In a press conference in Bukidnon on Tuesday, March 13, troops presented to the media some 26 plastic containers filled with rice.
Captain Norman Tagros, civil military operations officer, said residents of Barangay Banlag reported the food cache to the soldiers.
The Army officer said the rice was inside plastic containers and was said to have been forcibly taken by the communist insurgents.
Troops also presented six assorted firearms supposedly surrendered by the rebels from January 16 to March 11, this year.
The firearms include one M16 rifle with ammunition, one KG-9 sub-machine gun with ammunition, two caliber .45 pistols, three .38 revolvers, and a rifle grenade.
Last February 14, 2018, troops of 88th Infantry Battalion also discovered a food cache composed of 67 plastic containers filled with rice and two plastic drums filled with assorted food and medical supplies.
The 88IB has only been in existence for three months. Composed of some 500 soldiers, it was activated to fight communist guerrillas in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.