RECOVERED FIREARMS. A total of 10 high-powered firearms and hundreds of assorted ammunition are recovered by troopers of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) during a recovery operation on Feb. 8-9, 2023 in Madrid town, Surigao del Sur province. Three communist New People's Army rebels who surrendered to the 36IB earlier revealed the location of the hidden firearms and ammunition. (Photo courtesy of 36IB) BUTUAN CITY - Ten high-powered firearms, hundreds of assorted ammunition and explosives were recovered following the recent surrender of three New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Surigao del Sur province, a military official reported Friday. "The surrender of the three rebels was the outcome of the collaborative efforts of key stakeholders of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Surigao del Sur," said Lt. Col. Michael Rey Reuyan, the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) commander. On Tuesday, the surrenderers identified as Li
Visayas Command chief, Major General Benedict Arevalo. (PNA file photo) CEBU CITY - The Armed Forces of the Philippines' Visayas Command (Viscom) on Wednesday said the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) is now suffering a leadership vacuum after losing several key personalities in a series of encounters with government troops. Major General Benedict Arevalo, Viscom chief, said the communist terrorist groups in the Visayas are losing their hold as their armed capability has "drastically degraded" apart from also losing their leaders. "These are apart from the increasing number of former CTG supporters and sympathizers in the region who withdrew their support from the terrorist group," Arevalo said. The Viscom chief expressed hope the group would totally weaken should more CPP-NPA officials, especially those from Eastern Visayas, fall to the government. Arevalo cited the latest development involving the withdrawal of support of 93 i
RECOVERED. The firearms buried by rebels in Paranas town, Samar province, found by soldiers on Jan. 18, 2023. The Philippine Army said the recent seizure of buried high-powered firearms in the town will further weaken insurgency in the province. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army) TACLOBAN CITY - The Philippine Army said the recent discovery of several high-powered firearms in Paranas town, Samar province will further weaken insurgency in the province. Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID), said Monday that former rebels have been instrumental in locating the firearms in Samar buried by rebels since they cannot carry them after the surrender of several combatants. "The NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) is on the brink of collapse with the gradual surrender of their leaders and key personalities revealing the location of these hidden firearms," Ligayo said in a statement. The official made the statement after the military fou
FOR BETTER LIFE. Maguindanao del Sur Rep. Mohammad Tong Paglas (3rd right) hands over a check to one of six surrendering Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters during ceremonies at the Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion headquarters in Tacurong City on Sunday (Jan. 15, 2023). The surrenderers said they grew tired of running away from pursuing government forces. (Photo courtesy of 6ID) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - Six Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFFs) surrendered to authorities after intense operations against them in Maguindanao del Sur, an official said Monday. Lt. Col. Jayson Domingo, commander of the Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said the BIFF batch was presented during rites 9n Sunday at the Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade (1MBde) headquarters at Camp Leono in Tacurong City. Brig. Gen. Pedro Balisi, 1MBde commander, Maguindanao provincial administrator Cyrus Torrena and Rep. Mohammad Tong Paglas welcomed the surrenderers. "The surrend
FATHER-SON TANDEM. A police officer accounts for the firearms and illegal drugs seized Monday (July 25, 2022) from a father-son tandem (in handcuffs, inset) suspected of involvement in drugs and illegal firearms in M'lang, North Cotabato. Authorities said the two are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the area based on identification cards seized from them. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-Soccsksargen) MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato - Backed by the police Special Action Force, anti-narcotics agents arrested an employee of M'lang town and his father for possession of illegal drugs and firearms, an official reported Tuesday. Director Naravy Duquiatan of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Soccsksargen said operatives implemented a search warrant against two high-value targets in Barangay Dungguan at past 5 a.m. Monday. The suspects were identified as Mohar Talimbo, 34, a civil security unit officer assigned to the M'lang District Hospital, and his father Jimmy, 62, a farmer