TWO hidden arms of the New People's Army (NPA) stashed in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon were discovered during a retrieval operation on May 21, 2022.
According to the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), it was able to retrieve two AK-47 rifles in Barangay Busdi, Malaybalay City through the aid of NPA members who surrendered on May 20.
One of the former rebels who revealed the location of the arms cache was Butchoy Solinay who served as vice commanding officer of NPA unit with his comrade Jamaica Kaykay Singatao. Singatao served as supply officer of the same remaining NPA terrorist unit operating in Bukidnon after the 8IB dismantled the Guerilla Front 89.
According to the former rebels, while they were still members of the terrorist group, they experienced exhaustion and hunger caused by the withdrawal of support from their masses resulting from the continued Community Support Sustainment Program and Focused Military Operation in Upper Pulangi.
The death of their leaders, the successive voluntary surrender of their members, and the confiscation of their various war materials added to their dismay and state of low morale, leaving them no option but to surrender to the authorities.
The former rebels added that they decided to help the military troops locate the arms cache in exchange for “good treatment of the soldiers as they fear that soldiers will hurt them.”
They said after their surrender, they realize that there is a stark contrast to the soldier’s kind treatment of them as to the lies and fears instilled by their NPA comrades that they will be killed or tortured if they surrender.
The former rebels will now be processed for enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) of the government to help them reintegrate back into the community and soon be with their families and start a new life again.
"Ang pagbawi sa mga armas sa Teroristang Grupo usa ka tin-aw nga pagpakita nga ang kaaway huyang na, gikapoy ug nahadlok. Ingon sa gimando, magpadayon kami sa pagpanalipod ug pagsiguro sa mga komunidad gikan sa bisan unsang hulga sa mga CTG," Commanding Officer of 8IB Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Bacus said.
"Dugang pa, among giawhag ang nahabilin nga mga miyembro sa NPA nga malinawon nga mosurender sa gobyerno, maghiusa pag-usab sa ilang mga pamilya, ug dawaton ang malungtarong kalinaw. Makasalig kamo nga andam kami kanunay nga motabang kaninyo sa pagproseso sa inyong mga benepisyo pinaagi sa Enhanced-Local Integration Program o E-Clip ug sa pagpauli sa inyong tagsa-tagsa ka pamilya," he added.