THE Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas continued to recover high-powered firearms allegedly belonging to the communist rebels through the "strong collaboration" with Friend Rescued (FR), or newly-surrendered member of the New People's Army (NPA).
On July 15, 2023 alone, at least five M14 rifles, four M16 rifles, a shotgun, an M79 grenade launcher, a radio, assorted ammunition and explosives, and subversive documents were recovered by the 42nd Infantry Battalion (42IB) during a strike operation at the hinterlands of Barangay Buco, Can-avid, Eastern Samar.
“We will be stepping up our military and non-military operations to track down the location of communist NPA terrorists' loose firearms and prevent their recovery efforts here in Eastern Samar," said Lieutenant Colonel Rodito Gotladera, commander of the 42nd Infantry Battalion in Eastern Samar.
8th Infantry Division commander Major General Camilo Ligayo said they will also intensify the operations, especially in Northern Samar.
"In no time we will be able to dismantle the one remaining Guerilla Front," said the army commander, while expressing his confidence that the insurgency problems in the region will be finished by the end of 2023.
According to the official, the FR also helped in the recovery of other high-powered firearms on June 28 this year.
Meanwhile, Ligayo lauded the 42IB for their accomplishments, saying the recent recoveries of high-powered firearms “greatly contributed to the mission of ending the decades-long insurgency problem.”
“During the visit of President Bongbong Marcos, he said that he is confident that we can finish the fight against the insurgents by the end of the year in the region. Having been said by the President, I am also confident we can really end the insurgency problem but of course through our collaborative efforts,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)