Salary increase top concern for Davao, Samal teachers

Soldiers dig up arms cache of communist rebels in Bukidnon

THE NEW People's Army (NPA) suffered a setback after troops unearthed an arms cache that contained six high-powered firearms and war materiel in Barangay Sinaysayan, Kitaotao, Bukidnon on May 20.

Capt. Mark Anthony Tito, the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief, said two M16A1 rifles, two M4 Carbines, an M653 rifle, an M14 rifle, four M16 magazines, and four bandoliers were recovered by the troops of the 72nd Infantry Battalion stationed in Arakan, North Cotabato.

Lt. Col. Jose C Regonay Jr., commanding officer of 72IB, said that the location of the arms cache was revealed by Mayunie Man-inday Sayad, 31, a full-time member of Guerilla Front 57, who surrendered to their unit on May 19.

He also said that Sayad surrendered because of fear and hunger caused by the sustained Focus-Military Operations (FMO) conducted by the troops. New Kabalantian Barangay chair Thelma Hilaria helped facilitate the surrender.

Moreover, according to Sayad, they decided to bury the said firearms due to exhaustion from carrying them while they were escaping from the FMO launched by 72IB.

The 72nd IB covers the area of Arakan, Antipas, President Roxas, Magpet, Kidapawan City of North Cotabato, and municipalities in Bukidnon province (Kitaotao, Kibawe, Damulog and Dangcagan).

Meanwhile, 10th ID commander, MGen Nolasco A. Mempin, lauded the 72IB for its relentless efforts to end communist insurgency in its area of operations. He also thanked the community, especially the local leaders in the area, for their continuous support of the government forces.

“To the remaining com