AUTHORITIES have intercepted a food cache believed to be owned by the communist rebels in Talakag, Bukidnon, early Sunday, July 29.
Members of the 1004th Mobile Company of the Police Regional Mobile Force seized around 40 containers filled with rice, sugar, salt, and mongo beans which were buried on the ground at Sitio Larapan, Dominorog, Talakag town.
Senior Inspector Zean Paul Cubil,1004th Mobile Company commander, said the food cache which was tipped off by the concerned citizens was believed to be coming from the New People's Army (NPA) extortion activities.
"This only shows the growing distrust of the community to the NPA who have been victimizing them,"Cubil said.
Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao director, said community has a big role in the government's fight against terrorism.
"The support of the community is indispensable in bringing peace and development in Northern Mindanao and the information provided to our troops today that led to the discovery of these food cache is an example of that valuable community support," Pacleb said.
PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Superintendent Surki Sereñas also underscored his warning on unwitting terrorist supporters.
Sereñas said the confiscated food cache will be kept by the Talakag town police as evidence.
"We also warned those who give aid to these terrorist group to stop. Giving assistance to terrorist group is a crime and is punishable under the law," Sereñas said.