August 27, 2011 Press Release Series of Firearms Cache Discovered in Maragusan New Bataan, ComVal Province Army

y troops from 66th Infantry Battalion (66IB) discovered firearms cache in two successive days last August 27 and 28, 2011 at Barangay Tupas and Paloc, respectively, all of Maragusan, Compostella Valley Province. The first cache was discovered at about 2am after nine hours of trekking the rugged terrain of Barangay Tupas containing one Browning automatic rifle with four magazines loaded with ammunitions, one M14 Rifle with three magazines, one M16 Rifle, and one M1 Garand Rifle with 16 clips. Also found are one set of dental tools, combat pack containing three pairs of battle dress uniforms (BDU), five pieces upper BDU garment, one rain boot and five pairs of combat boots. The said cache was discovered through the information given by a former member of an illegal armed group believed to be affiliated with the New Peoples Army operating in the area of Maragusan who surrendered to the troops of 66IB last August 26, 2011 to the Peace and Development Team (PDT) led by 2nd Lt. Joey B Santiano based at Brgy Talian, Maragusan, ComVal. His surrender was also made possible through the assistance of Barangay Captain Eduardo Datulayta Sr. The returnee revealed all he knows about his group including the location of the firearms cache left by the NPAs in the hinterland of Brgy Tupas. This prompted the Commander of 66IB, Lt Col Antonino G Florendo to immediately dispatch his troops to recover the said firearms. Gigamit namo ang mga uniporme na pang ilad sa mga civilian aron madaot ang imahe sundalo sa ila. Usahay ginagamit pod namo sa mga sundalo kining mga uniporme sa among opensiba sama sa pagconduct ng checkpoint, the returnee revealed. Meanwhile, the 2nd cache was discovered by PDT, led by Lt Dexter M Nabora, after a mass base supporter disclosed the location at Purok 7 of Barangay Paloc and recovered are two M16 and two M1 Carbine rifles and three empty magazines for Browning Automatic Rifles. Lt Col Antonino Florendo, Commander of 66IB said that the Peace and Development Outreach Program is gaining headway in its efforts in Maragusan, Were picking rifles like picking apples and this is an indication that the people are one with us. The rebel returnee is now processing his documents for the social integration program for him to join his family and live a normal life. The 66th Infantry Battalion is gaining more support from the local government of Maragusan and the populace after it deployed its Peace and Development Teams in the said Municipality last May 25, 2011.

Released by: 1LT VILMA D MOJADO (QMS) PA Assistant CMO Officer 66th Infantry (KABALIKAT) Battalion,10ID, PA Contact Number: 09177192008 E-mail Add: echo_vdm2008@yahoo.com