ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government forces have recovered an arms cache of the New People's Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Misamis Occidental, the military said Monday.
In a statement, the Army 1st Infantry Division (ID) said troops from the 10th Infantry Battalion dug up the hidden firearms around 1 p.m. Sunday in Tudela, Misamis Occidental.
The arms cache included two AK-47 rifles, two CZ rifles, one M16 rifle, and six AK-47 firearm clips.
The 1st ID said the arms cache belongs to the remnants of the NPA Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee operating in the province.
"With this recovery, these weapons will never again be used to harm our communities or support other NPA groups in Mindanao," the 1st ID said, adding that former NPA rebels who surrendered provided information on the whereabouts of the firearms.
The arms cache was recovered a day after a communist rebel was killed in a clash with government troops in Barangay Bandara Ingod, Amai Manabilang, Lanao del Sur.
An M16 rifle was found beside the body of the slain rebel belonging to the NPA Platun Uno, Sub-Regional Committee-5. (PNA)