CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues to weaken the communist terrorist group’s (CTG’s) firepower as government troops seized an arms cache in Pampanga on Thursday, Apr. 7.
Joint elements of the 7th Infantry Division (7ID), Philippine Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion, and Pampanga Provincial Police Station discovered the high-powered firearms at Barangay Ebus in Guagua, Pampanga.
According to Major General Andrew Costelo, Commander of 7ID and Joint Task Force Kaugnay, the troops seized two M16 rifles, one M203 grenade launcher, and one M653 carbine. The weapons belonged to the NPA’s Komiteng Larangang Gerilya West, South Party Committee.
Based on the AFP’s record, the military’s focused military operation resulted in the seizure and surrender of 495 high-powered and low-powered firearms in the first quarter of 2022 nationwide. The AFP also seized 148 anti-personnel mines that the International Humanitarian Law bans.
Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres JR, Commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), lauded the troop’s recovery of CTG firearms as he assured the people of continued operations to hunt down the remaining NPAs in Central and Northern Luzon.
“NOLCOM forces will be relentless in conducting Focused Military Operations (FMO) on identified lairs of the CTG to prevent them from pursuing terroristic activities against soft targets in Central and Northern Luzon that hinders peace, security, and development of the community,” Torres said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is intensifying its security operations against the communist terrorist group and other threat groups nationwide to protect the people and ensure the success of the national and local election in May. (PR) – bny
