Zambales police discover arms cache allegedly linked to communist rebels

SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES, Philippines — Arms cache believed to have been hidden by members of a communist rebel group in a remote village in Masinloc town in this province was found on Thursday afternoon (June 25), authorities said.

The cache, discovered in Sitio Buri, Barangay Inhobol, contained firearms, ammunition, explosives, tactical equipment, and subversive documents that police linked to the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).

According to the Zambales Police Provincial Office, the operation stemmed from information provided by a former CTG member who disclosed the location of the buried weapons to Provincial Director Col. Benjamin Ariola.

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READ: 3 NPA members slain in encounter with govt troops in Leyte

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Personnel from the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), led by Maj. Apolonio Ablan Jr., immediately verified the report with assistance from the Masinloc Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit.

Recovered from the site were two improvised shotguns or “sumpak” and 123 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, including 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, 9 mm, .30 caliber, and 12-gauge shotgun shells.

READ: Gov’t troops recover NPA arms cache in Leyte

Police also found 20 empty magazines, four high-explosive rifle grenades, a non-electric blasting cap with fuse, two commercial detonating cords, a canister, a bandolier, tactical medical supplies, and several subversive documents.

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The recovered firearms and ammunition are now under the custody of the 1st PMFC, while the explosives have been turned over to the Zambales Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit for proper handling.

Ariola thanked the former rebel for providing information that led to the recovery of the cache.

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“Because of this information, we were able to seize firearms, ammunition, and explosives that could have been used to inflict harm and cause destruction,” Ariola said in Filipino.

He also encouraged remaining insurgents who wish to return to the government’s fold to coordinate with authorities and seek assistance for a new beginning. /cb

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