THE Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion (IB) has unearthed firearms cache and explosive devices of the New People’s Army (NPA) through the help of former rebels in the province of South Cotabato, the military reported.

Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey, 39IB commander, said the arms cache and explosive devices were recovered Saturday, November 27, in Sitio Bonglawaan in Palo 19 village, Tampakan, South Cotabato.

Balagtey said among the armaments were: one caliber .50 machinegun; one shotgun; four grenades and one 40-millimeter grenade launcher ammunition.

Balagtey said these items were stashed by members of the NPA's Guerilla Front Alip of the Far South Mindanao Region.

In his assessment, Balagtey said the stashing of firearms is a manifestation of their dwindling force.

“This is a manifestation of a dwindling NPA force. They have reached the point that they have more firearms than personnel which means that they are hard up in their recruitment,” he said.

He said the recovered high-powered firearms and explosives were brought to the 39IB headquarters in Poblacion village, Makilala, North Cotabato for proper disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)