PILI, CAMARINES SUR (PIA)— The enduring support given by local residents of Sorsogon has led the joint forces of Philippine Army and Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol to an arm cache hidden at the hinterlands of Brgy. Hidhid, Matnog in the province of Sorsogon.
In the latest operation of the government operatives, a hidden storage of weapons was unearthed after concerned residents tipped them of its location.
In a press statement released by Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) Chief, Major John Paul Belleza, he confirmed that several firearms and war materials which include two caliber 38, nine improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and more or less 250 rounds of assorted ammunition were found by the 22nd Infantry Battalion troops led by its Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Allan Mangaser.
The newly-installed 22nd IB Officer, upon receipt and verification of the tip from the residents, immediately sent his team and found out the concealed war materials.
903rd Infantry Brigade Commander, BGen. Aldwine Almase, extended his gratitude to Sorsoganons for yet another successful collaboration with the government troops.
"Sa mga Sorosoganons, huwag na po natin bigyan ng pagkakataon na makapag hasik pa ng terorismo ang mga CTG sa ating probinsya. Kaakibat nyo po kami sa adhikain na masupil na ang mga armado upang maging tuloy-tuloy na ang kapayapaan dito sa Sorsogon at upang mas lalo pa po itong umunlad," BGen. Almase added.
Newly- retired 9th Infantry Division Commander Major General Alex DC Luna said that the said operation is “an additional winning factor of the government troops against the continuous dwindling capabilities of the CTG in the region.”
The operations happened on Nov. 26, Saturday, two days before the official retirement of MGen Luna.
"Dagdag na naman ito sa ating panalo sa kampanya natin laban sa insurhensiya dito sa Bicol. Dahil ang pagkakadiskobre ng nasabing mga armas ay tiyak na mas lalong mapipilayan ang CTG at maging sanhi ng tuluyan nilang pagkawala. Ngunit ang JTF Bicolandia sa kabila ng aming agresibong kampanya upang supilin na ang mga armadong terorista, ay hindi pa din nagsasawang paalalahanan ang mga natitira pang kasapi nito (CTG), na sumuko na lamang at bumalik sa kani-kanilang pamilya lalo pa't paparating na ang Pasko," the official added.
It will be recalled that early this month, government operatives also discovered hidden armaments in Brgy. Barbara, Bulusan,Sorsogon. (With reports from 9ID DPAO MJPBelleza-PIA5/Camarines Sur)
