Tip-off by ex-reb leads to war materiel in Ecija
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — A tip-off by a former New People’s Army (NPA) rebel led authorities to a hidden location in a Nueva Ecija town where several pieces of war materiel believed owned by the group’s dismantled Komiteng Larangang Gerilya-Sierra Madre were found.
7th Infantry Division chief Major Gen. Andrew D. Costelo said the war materiel were found after his men and operatives from the Nueva Ecija 1st provincial mobile force company led by Lt. Col. Robert Agustin scoured the area in Bgy. Labi, Bongabon on Friday.
Costelo also lauded the former rebel’s help for revealing to authorities the location of the cache of weapons and ammunition which he said could be possibly used to launch terror attacks during the election period.
“We highly recognize the cooperation of former rebel “Alias War” as these war materiel could be used for possible attacks against the community or the security sector. We value their commitment to support us in our peace and security efforts,” stressed Costelo.
Recovered were a converted magnum cal.22, an improvised explosive device (cylindrical), a cal.22 magazine, 14 live magnum cal. 22 bullets, two non-electrical blasting caps, a galvanometer, generator set, one roll antenna wire, alligator clip, two switches, battery cap for 9-volts, 13 resistors, two empty food containers, and one NPA flag.