Photo courtesy of PNP/Facebook
Three alleged members of a communist armed group surrendered to government forces during a joint operation in Camarines Norte, authorities said.
The individuals, known by their aliases, were linked to a guerrilla unit operating under the Bicol Regional Party Committee and were listed in recent monitoring reports.
Security forces conducted the operation on March 17 across Barangays Mahawanhawan and Baay in the town of Labo.
Police units provided support to the Philippine Army, which led the mission alongside other government agencies involved in intelligence and coastal security.
During questioning, the former rebels disclosed the location of a hidden weapons cache in a remote area of Barangay Baay.
Authorities later recovered several firearms, including a machine gun, rifles, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, all with tampered serial numbers.
The surrendered individuals and seized items were placed under military custody for documentation, debriefing, and possible inclusion in the government’s reintegration program.
Police chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez said the development highlights the impact of sustained security operations and community engagement in encouraging members of armed groups to return to civilian life.