CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal – The 2nd Infantry Division welcomed a series of breakthroughs in its fight to end communist insurgency after the discovery of an abandoned arms cache in Gumaca, Quezon on March 19, 2022. The said Philippine Army Major Unit also facilitated the surrender of a militia in Rodriguez, Rizal, and seized another arms cache at Bansud, Oriental Mindoro on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
According to field reports, troops belonging to the 85th Infantry Battalion were acting upon information from a former rebel when they found an arms cache at Sitio Bitin, Barangay Laguna in Gumaca, Quezon. The said combat operation led to the capture of two M-16 rifles.
Additionally, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Battalion and the 76th Infantry Battalion conducted combat operations after receiving information from a member of the indigenous people regarding an abandoned enemy hideout and an arms cache at Sitio Mabarya, Barangay Rosacara in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro. Among the items seized by the troops were a Bushmaster 5.56 mm rifle, one Colt 5.56mm rifle, an M1 Carbine, one homemade shotgun, 15 pounds of IED, one magazine for a shotgun, six pieces of live ammunition, two empty bandoliers, two poncho tents, one holster for caliber .45 pistol, and other personal belongings.
Meanwhile, the 80th Infantry Battalion facilitated the surrender of a Militia ng Bayan member at Brgy Puray in Rodriguez, Rizal after a series of localized peace negotiations in the area which also yielded an M16 Blackwater rifle, one short alloy magazine, and 15 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition.
In his statement, Maj Gen Rowen S. Tolentino, Commander of 2ID, expressed his enthusiasm for the said developments.
"These consecutive gains are no doubt manifestations of the success of our localized peace efforts by the local Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict across our area of responsibility. The NPA continues to weaken across our area of operation and we should capitalize on these wins. We are now further intensifying our localized peace efforts because we believe we can still win this war peacefully.”
“It’s not too late to return to the folds of the law and live peacefully with your families.”