DUMINGAG, Zamboanga del Sur – Military troops under the 32nd Infantry Battalion of the Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) recovered assorted war items in their joint operation at the hinterland village of Saad in Dumingag town in Zamboanga del Sur province on September 16, 2014.
Capt. Israel Galorio, Civil Military Operations officer, told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro by phone Monday, September 22, that while the troops were on foot patrol in broad daylight they noticed two civilians carrying torn and worn sacks which the latter allegedly dumped beside a residential house.
"One of those who carried the sacks escaped. The troops found several ammunition of AK 47 scattered in the roadside that led to the house of Joel Sumagop," Galoria said.
Galorio said Sumagop was ordered to open the sacks. Upon opening they found 765 rounds of 7.62 x .39 ammunition (AK 47), one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), seven sets of arming device for IED, 34 pieces of blasting caps, 50 meters electrical wire, 18 pieces of dry cell battery, 47 pairs of black sweat shirts and jogging pants, other personal items, toiletries, food stuff, medical supplies, kitchen utensils and sewing materials.
Lt. Col. Gregorio S. Nieveras, commanding officer of 32nd IB said the discovered items are believed to be supplies for the New People's Army (NPA) in the area. “Though we are just here for six months since we established our battalion in Dumingag town , we were able to establish rapport with the civilians that help us in the campaign against communist movement to abandon armed struggle," Nieveras added.
Appropriate charges were already filed against Sumagop.