Ecija cops recover arms cache in alleged rebel lair
PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija — Acting on a tip provided by a surrendered New People’s Army rebel, authorities scoured a mountainous barangay in this town and recovered an arms cache at an alleged former rebel camp during a special intelligence operation conducted on Friday.
Major Bryan Christopher L. Baybayan, 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company commander, said his men, with the help of the Provincial Intelligence Unit-Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, the local police under Major Roilan V. Gonzales, and the military conducted the successful operation in Bgy. Cambitala at 11:20 a.m..
The search was conducted following revelations made by a former member of “NPA in the Barrio” (militia ng bayan), identified as “Ka Bruno,” who previously surrendered to the 2nd PMFC on August 15, 2023.
Recovered during the operation were two rifle grenades, one M-203 ammunition, a hand grenade, two pieces long magazine, two short magazines, 16 rounds of live ammunition for cal. 5.56mm, 28 cal. 7.62mm, two tactical bandolier, a coil of wire, and a battery.
Baybayan said he asked for the assistance of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Explosives and Canine Unit for the recovery, proper handling and disposal of the seized explosives.
