• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A cache of firearms and ammunition hidden by remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, were recovered on July 29 in Barangay Pinowayan, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental.
Acting on the information relayed by a former rebel who was a former combatant of the Northern Negros Front, troopers of the 79th Infantry Battalion were able to recover two M14 assault rifles, a caliber .30 M1 garand rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, and 129 assorted ammunition.
According to a statement issued by the 79IB, the former rebel was among those who figured in a series of encounters with Army soldiers in February at Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City, which led to the death of three rebels and the recovery of 18 firearms.
Last week, four rebel remnants also surrendered to authorities in northern Negros.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, said their relentless effort to sustain the current Stable Internal Peace and Security status of Negros Island Region and the series of surrender of key personalities of NNF-D, paves the way to gain popular support among Negrenses, resulting in various actionable and timely information against the remaining demoralized rebel remnants.*
