MILITARY troops discovered anew an arms cache in Barangay Ferlda, Alegria, Surigao del Norte last week.
The recovery of the firearms came after the confession of former rebels who recently surrendered to the 30th Infantry Battalion (IB).
Soldiers found four AK47 along with four magazines hidden in the mountainous part of Sitio Tumay-as, Barangay Ferlda, Alegria, Surigao del Norte.
According to the military, the high powered firearms belonged to the members of Sandatahang Yunit Pang Propaganda (SYP) 16C, Guerrilla Front 16 (GF16), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) who were either killed in the previous encounters, went inactive, or purposely left by rebels.
“The surrender resulted to a series of revelations and became a significant piece for us to expose mass supporters and disclose war materials and CNT (Communist New People’s Army Terrorists) locations. Seizure of said firearms will definitely affect their ranks in terms of fire power. The decision made by the surrenderers realizing the futility of the armed struggle paved the way to the discovery of said firearms", said Lieutenant Colonel Allen Raymund Tomas, 30IB commanding officer.
Meanwhile, Colonel Maurito L. Licudine, 402nd Brigade commander said, "The former rebels have cooperated with us because they have seen the efforts of the government in pursuing genuine peace and facilitating convergence to address the issues and concerns of the community.”
"The option left now for the CNTs and its supporters is to surrender. We reiterate our call on CNTs to lay down their arms, rest assured, we will work with other stakeholders to ensure their safety and well-being and that of their family,” Licudine added.