ILOILO – On Saturday morning, soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) seized a cache of weapons and explosives in Barangay Sta. Ana, San Joaquin town.
The haul included an M16 armalite rifle with five magazines, an improvised explosive device (IED), and 56 rounds of ammunition.
The operation was informed by intelligence provided by a former rebel known as alias Michelle, who had previously surrendered to the Army.
Michelle, once part of the Puregold Sangay Yunit Propaganda (SYP) Platoon of the now-dismantled Southern Panay Front, Komiteng Rehiyong-Panay, had defected during a clash on February 29 in Barangay Torocadan, San Joaquin, where three rebels were killed.
Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Balgos of the 61IB said, “Through the information provided by alias Michelle, we were able to locate and recover the abandoned weapons and ammunition. This achievement not only represents a significant blow to insurgent activities but also demonstrates the strong resolve of the community to maintain peace and order.”
The earlier encounter in February also resulted in the Army’s recovery of five high-powered firearms, including four M16 rifles and one AK-47, as well as additional military equipment and personal belongings of the insurgents./PN
