TACLOBAN CITY – The 63rd Infantry (Innovator) Battalion discovered a New People’s Army arms cache composed of four AK47 assault rifles, five upper receivers of M16 rifles with bolt assembly, five long magazines of AK47, and two disc-type magazines of AK47 rifle in the hinterlands of Sitio Bagti, Barangay Mabini, Basey, Samar, on Monday, January 15.

TROOPS discover an arms cache in Basey, Samar. (Photo via Marie Marticio)
This accomplishment was attributed to the continuous cooperation of a former high-ranking leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front in Samar who surrendered to government troops last December.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, commended troops and civilians for their contributions to the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.
“This a manifestation of the unwavering support and trust of our local folks in the municipality of Basey here in the province of Samar."
Vestuir added that the families of former rebels once again showed their commitment to support their thrust to end the local communist armed conflict in their communities.
"Motivating their loved ones to cooperate with the government is a clear manifestation that they have the trust and confidence towards our Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families (FReE Families) program of the Municipal and Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in collaboration with 802nd IB," he said.