CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The military on Monday disclosed that a former “Militia ng Bayan” member of the New People’s Army has led government troopers to the location of the rebels’ arms cache in Bukidnon.
The Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion said the former militia, only known as “Labay,” pinpointed the rebels’ hideout and arms cache in Barangay Hagpa, Impasugong, Bukidnon, on 27 August.
16IB’s civil-military officer 2Lt Valerie Mae Jequinto disclosed that Labay used to be an NPA courier and was responsible for the purchase and delivery of supplies for the insurgents before he surrendered to the Army.
“Labay tipped off to the troops the site where he hid the cache which contains one US Caliber30 M1 Springfield Rifle, 10 pieces of hand grenades, two improvised explosive devices, and ammunition,” Jequinto said.
The 16IB believes the cooperation of Labay “significantly impacts the campaign of the national government to end local communist armed conflict.”