A former member of the New People’s Army surrendered to the Philippine Army and led soldiers to a weapons cache in Leon, Iloilo, where ammunition magazines and explosive materials were recovered.
The former rebel, identified by the alias “Dandan,” 47, surrendered to the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion in Miagao on Oct. 11, bringing a shotgun and three rounds of ammunition.
Dandan previously served as finance and logistics officer of the disbanded Puregold Platoon under the Southern Panay Front of the NPA’s Panay Regional Committee.
On Oct. 12, soldiers recovered 45 magazines for M16 rifles, an improvised explosive device and a detonator in Barangay Bucari, Leon, after the former rebel identified the location of the weapons cache.
The recovery followed Dandan’s surrender and disclosure of the hidden weapons, according to the report.
The Philippine Army has taken the former rebel into custody for debriefing and the appropriate procedures following his surrender.
No further details were provided about the circumstances surrounding his decision to surrender or whether other individuals were involved in the weapons cache.
Authorities also did not disclose additional information about the recovered materials or any subsequent operations related to the discovery.
The surrender took place in Miagao, while the weapons cache was discovered in Barangay Bucari, Leon, Iloilo. The Army’s debriefing and other procedures involving Dandan remain ongoing, according to the report.
