By Sarwell Meniano

UNEARTHING. Soldiers searching for an arms cache belonging to the New People’s Army in the hinterlands of Buak Daku village, Sogod, Southern Leyte in this undated photo. This is part of an intensified effort to dismantle the region’s dwindling NPA forces. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – Soldiers unearthed on Sunday an arms cache belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Buak Daku village, Sogod, Southern Leyte, as part of an intensified effort to dismantle the region’s dwindling NPA forces.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said in a phone interview Monday the arms cache included an M16 rifle, a short magazine, and subversive materials.

Subversive materials are literatures, references, publications, resources, and items that contain pervasive NPA ideologies. 

Acting on information from former rebels, soldiers of the 14th Infantry Battalion found the location of the arms cache, according to Vestuir.

The successful discovery of the armed cache was the result of the continuous dialogue and consultations conducted with former rebels and is part of the ongoing operations targeting the remnants of the NPA island committee (IC) Levox, which operates in the area, he said. 

Vestuir thanked former members of IC Levox for providing crucial information that led to the success of the operation.

“The recovery of these war materials is a testament to the commitment of the former members of IC Levox in helping the government to attain peace by ensuring the safety and security of our people and isolating the remnants of the NPAs from our communities,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

The discovery came less than a month after the government forces found an NPA arms cache in the hinterlands of Mahilum village, Hindang, Leyte, on Jan. 11. It contained an M60 machine gun, a M16 rifle, and one M14 rifle.

The firearms also belong to the remnants of the NPA unit hiding in Leyte mountains. 

The army believes the rebels buried their firearms after the death and surrender of several leaders and fighters. (PNA)