TROOPS of the 105th Infantry Battalion (105IB) have uncovered a cache of high-powered firearms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) of the New People's Army (NPA) in an intelligence-driven operation in South Cotabato, the military said Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Lieutenant Colonel Erikzen Dacoco, 105IB commander, said the arms cache and IEDs were uncovered on Tuesday, July 29, in Lacunon village, T'boli, South Cotabato.
Dacoco said the arms cache contained an M-14 rifle, a 40-millimeter grenade launcher, and seven IEDs.
The recovered war materiels belong to the NPA rebels formerly operating in the province of South Cotabato.
"We are thankful for the cooperation of the community, especially, the former CTG (communist terrorist group) supporters who are now yielding towards the government by providing information to help us suppress threats and eliminate the tools of violence," he said.
Brigadier General Michael Santos, 603rd Infantry Brigade commander, lauded the 105IB troops for their operational accomplishments.
"The recovery of these firearms and explosives delivers a decisive setback to those who intend to sow fear and instability in South Cotabato," Santos said.
"We will sustain our intensified, intelligence-driven and focused military operations to safeguard our communities and uphold lasting peace in the province," he added.
The recovered firearms and IEDs were placed under the custody of the 105IB for proper disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)