Sta. Rita, Samar — Military forces in the Philippines have successfully uncovered a rifle and magazines linked to the New People’s Army (NPA) in the mountainous region of Old Union village in Sta. Rita, Samar.
According to Philippines News Agency, commander of the Philippine Army’s 63rd Infantry Battalion, the discovery was made on August 27 following tips from local residents. The troops found a Bushmaster 5.56mm rifle and three empty magazines, which military officials confirmed belonged to the NPA, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the Philippine government. Meclat emphasized the importance of community-military cooperation in ensuring regional security and highlighted this event as a testament to the effective collaboration between local citizens and security forces.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, praised the efforts of the troops and expressed gratitude towards the residents for their vital role in maintaining peace in the area. He noted that Samar, once a stronghold for the armed rebels, has seen significant progress towards peace due to a comprehensive national strategy that has effectively dismantled guerrilla fronts in the province.