The combat strength of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the Caraga Region has been significantly weakened following the recovery of 11 high-powered firearms after a series of rebel surrenders this month, the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde) reported Monday.
Between October 16 and 22, three NPA members yielded to government forces, leading to major weapons seizures.
On October 16, NPA couple Caryl Engayas Flores (alias Kayle) and Glendolyn Himo (alias Vic) of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Southland surrendered to the 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
Their cooperation led authorities to an arms cache hidden in the hinterlands of Barangay Alegria, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. A joint operation by the 29IB and the Police Regional Office 13 on October 17 resulted in the recovery of 10 high-powered firearms, including three M203 grenade launchers, four M16 rifles, two AR-15 Colt assault rifles, and a Firebird M4 rifle.
Troops also seized six long rifle magazines and 778 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.
Another breakthrough came on October 22 when rebel Marvin Angcajas Pispiñan (alias Manong) surrendered to the 48th Infantry Battalion. His surrender led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, an anti-personnel mine, 10 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, and an improvised explosive device (IED) in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.
“The surrenders and the recovery of the firearms, ammunition, and explosives degraded the capability of [the] NEMRC to sustain its operations,” said Col. Manuel Darius Resuello, acting commander of the 901st Brigade.