Found arms caches in Leyte, Samar sign of weakened NPA

TACLOBAN CITY - The recent discoveries of arms caches in Leyte and Samar provinces signal the victory of the government's fight to end insurgency in the region, an official of the Philippine Army said on Monday. Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army's 802nd Infantry Brigade, said the participation of villagers and former rebels in peace initiatives largely contributed to the unearthing of firearms and an explosive buried by the New People's Army (NPA). "The involvement of former rebels has significantly weakened the NPA's capabilities in Samar and Leyte. We expect more discoveries in the coming days as the people and former NPA members are fully cooperating with our peace efforts," Vestuir said in a phone interview. The Army's 78th Infantry Battalion (IB) discovered the arms storage belonging to the NPA in Barangay Osmeña, General MacArthur, Eastern Samar on Sept. 7. The discovery included two M16 rifles with magazines, 175 rounds of ammunition, a bandoleer, a flash drive, subversive documents, and four anti-personnel mine blasting caps which are banned under international humanitarian law. Arms caches were likewise found on Sept. 2 in Barangay Kahupian, Sogod, Southern Leyte, and in Abuyog, Leyte; and in upland Canca-iyas village in Basey, Samar on Sept. 5. The Philippine Army is likewise counting on the participation of former rebels for the surrender of the remaining 26 active NPA members hiding in the mountains of Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces. He urged the remaining NPA members to lay down their arms, assuring them that their families and communities are ready to welcome them back. "The government is sincere in helping you choose the path of peace," Vestuir said. Source: Philippines News agency