Troops of the Philippine Army’s 52nd Infantry Battalion discovered an arms cache consisting of four high-powered firearms and four banned anti-personnel mines buried in Agsaman village in Jipapad, Eastern Samar, the military reported on Friday. Following the revelation of the alias Artem, 25, former political instructor of the New People’s Army (NPA) front committee 3 who recently surrendered, soldiers found on Thursday an arms cache with two AK47 rifles, an M14 rifle, a shotgun, banned explosives, two magazines of AK47 and M14, 140 rounds ammunition of AK47, and 75 cartridges of 7.62mm ball for M14. The series of local peace engagements by the different government agencies and the continuing delivery of basic services and socio-economic development in the community prompted alias Artem to surrender on June 18, 2023. Major General Camilo Ligayo, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division commended Artem for his surrender and cooperation with the government’s anti-insurgency campaign. ‘We welcome the surrender of alias Artem, and we are hoping that the other members of NPA will also do the same. It is not too late to surrender, return to the folds of the law and make use of the different government assistances as you start your life anew,’ Maj. Gen. Ligayo said. The official believes that rebels buried their firearms since they don’t have enough men to carry them. Alias Artem will receive government financial assistance under the local social integration program and an enhanced comprehensive local integration program. He will also undergo livelihood training as part of his reintegration process.
Source: Philippines News Agency