Civilian shares info, PH Army unearths arms cache
The two firearms believed to be owned by the CNTs that were recovered by the troops of 50IB. Photo credit to the DPAO, 5ID.
SAN MATEO, Isabela- Through the information shared by a concerned citizen, troops of the 50th Infantry Battalion (50IB) under the watch of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) were able to unearth an arms cache believed to be owned by the Communist News People’s Army Terrorist (CNTs) on May 25, 2022, at Sitio Lingayan, Brgy. Balantoy, Balbalan, Kalinga.
Capt. Rigor Pamittan, spokesperson of the 5ID in a press release said that a concerned citizen made the report to the troops of 50IB who were then conducting a strike operation in the area. Checking the veracity of the report led to the recovery of one M16 rifle and one Garand Rifle. The firearms were kept in a storage called “oblagan” by the CNTs.
LtCol. Melanio E Somera, commander of 50IB extended his gratitude to the locals of Brgy. Balantoy for supporting the Philippine Army in ending local communist armed conflict in their community.
“Giving information such as this is really a big help to succeed in the campaign against insurgency and eventually achieve inclusive peace and development,” said Somera.
The recovered firearms were brought to 50IB headquarters for proper disposition.# MAE BARANGAN / FNS
