216 Firearms Seized from NPA this Year

The military in Davao Region has confiscated a total of 216 low and high powered firearms in the insurgency campaign since January up to the present.

Captain Jerry Lamosao, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said the firearms came from the various military operation against the New People’s Army in Region XI and some parts of Region XII.

He also revealed that a total of 424 low and high powered firearms were surrendered to the authorities, with the recovery of 264 anti-personnel explosive device and 124 rebel encampment which were either overrun or discovered.

“For the same period, there were 520 members of the NPA who surrendered to the various units of the 10th ID,” Lamosao said.

He said 701 Milisyang Bayan also surrendered with 256 members of the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad, 6,245 members from the underground mass organizations and 84 members of progressive groups allied allegedly with the NPA which also affirmed their allegiance to the government.

Lamosao said 45 rebels, 10 members of the Milisyang Bayan and three supporters with outstanding arrest warrants were also captured.

“As we see, with the surrender of rebels, massive infrastructure and government projects are now being made in the countryside,” he said.

Lamosao said they are awaiting for further instructions from the General Headquarters of the Philippine Army with regards to the statement of the President which no longer favors the peace process with the communist rebels.

He said that in the provinces, the atrocities allegedly committed by the rebels continue.

Lamosao said the military expects further armed engagements with the rebels in the future with the hard stance of the president against insurgency. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)