Highpowered Firearms & Ammunition Recovered in Masbate

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur, Dec. 9 -- Army troopers recovered from an abandoned safe house on Tuesday a cache of high powered firearms and ammunition in a remote village in Mandaon town in Masbate, report reaching the 9th Army Infantry Division said Wednesday.

The soldiers were on combat and retrieval operation after villagers tipped off military authorities of the presence of unidentified armed group in the area.

Army Maj. Harold M. Cabunoc, spokesman of 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, said the nine-man squad led by Cpl. Jamon recovered assorted firearms from a cache located in an isolated area in Brgy Sta Fe, Mandaon, Masbate.

Recovered items included a 40mm grenade launcher, KG9 machine pistol, two cal. 38 revolvers and assorted ammunition.

The latest firearms recovery was a result of information from a resident who has close contacts with the communist movement in the area.

Cabunoc said the firearms belonged to the band of communist rebels which figured in an encounter with 9ID troops in the same barangay in October this year.

Army soldiers are intensifying its drive against the proliferation of firearms in the province as the election period is fast approaching.

The campaign on loose firearms is also line with Maj. General Ruperto R. Pabustan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, directive to initiate aggressive internal security operations in coordination with the PNP and the other local government agencies in the six provinces of Bikol.

The island province of Masbate is included among the provinces nationwide considered as election "hot spots" because of the intense political rivalries in the province. (PNA)