Rebels’ arms cache found in Ilocos Sur

By Leander C. Domingo

SANTIAGO, Ilocos Sur -- An arms cache of the New People’s Army was discovered here, according to the North Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
    Lt. Col. Elmar Salvador, Nolcom Public Information Office chief, said the 71st Infantry Battalion (71IB) under the Joint Task Group (JTG) Defender discovered the arms cache here in Sitio Ramut, Zone 7, Barangay Salincub on July 3.
    Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., Nolcom commander, revealed the 71IB recovered an M16 rifle, eight magazines (5-long and 3-short), 140 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and a bandolier from the said location.
    "A former leader of Guerilla Front Ampis which operates in the areas of Abra, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur tipped the troops of the whereabouts of the said arms cache," Torres said.
    Brig. Gen. Krishnamurti Mortela, JTG Defender commander which covers the area of Ilocos Sur, said the recovered war materiel were brought to the headquarters of 71IB for proper disposition and documentation.
    Earlier, the 54IB conducted pursuit operations after a series of clashes with members of the CTG on May 23 to 24 which also resulted in the rescue of a ranking leader of the terror group who was left by his comrades after being wounded in an armed encounter on May 26 at Sitio Belbel, Barangay Namal, Asipulo town in Ifugao.
    The abandoned rebel was identified only as Junel, vice commanding officer of the Front Operational Command Guerilla Front.
    Mortela said the discovery of a cache of arms wasindicative of alias Junel's sincere desire for genuine peace and projection of his gratitude to the military who helped him when he was already on the verge of death from being betrayed by his comrades, as he aided the government forces locate the war material.
    Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, Joint Task Force Kaugnay commander, hailed the troops' series of accomplishments in their  operations including the recent discovery of arms caches on July 1 at Barangay Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac, and at Sitio Gued-Gued, Barangay Palis, Botolan in Zambales on June 26, and at Barangay Carmencita Floridablanca, Pampanga on June 12.
    "Our efforts to create lasting peace, prosperity and development in our communities will continue until we can fully decimate terrorist organizations in our area of operations," Costelo said.
    "The successive discovery of the rebels’ weapons caches further weakened the arms capability of these communist groups, preventing them from performing hostile attacks in northern and central Luzon," Torres said.
Torres said Nolcom has its doors open for the former comrades of Junel and all other remaining members of the CTG who wish to return to the fold of the law and start anew with their families.