LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Soldiers recovered 13 high-powered firearms during an operation in the mountainous area of Barangay Guibahoy, Lagonoy town in Camarines Sur province on Thursday morning, Jan. 29.
The 83rd Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Infantry Battalion discovered the arms cache at around 6:30 a.m. – 12 M16 rifles, one M60 machine gun, two anti-personnel mines, ammunition, and magazines.
These were buried in a densely vegetated area and found following information provided by residents who observed suspicious individuals frequently returning to the site.
Authorities noted that the area is one barangay away from an arms cache unearthed by troops on Dec. 20 last year in Sitio Benguet, Barangay Pinamihagan.
The 9th Infantry Division expressed confidence that more hidden weapons may be found in the coming days due to the continued cooperation and timely intelligence being shared by the community.
The military said that public support remains crucial in preventing armed groups from storing and using illegal weapons in the area.