Government troops recovered a cache of firearms believed to belong to the New People’s Army (NPA) during an operation in Samar, military officials said.
The weapons were discovered on May 29, 2026, in Sitio Galutan, Barangay Can-aponte, San Jose de Buan, Samar.
The operation was conducted by a joint force composed of personnel from the 87th Infantry Battalion and the 804th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 (RMFB8).
According to the military, the operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 assault rifles with two magazines, two M16A1 rifles and one M203 grenade launcher.
Authorities said the operation was launched after receiving information from former rebels and concerned citizens regarding the location of the firearms.
Military officials described the recovered weapons as a suspected arms cache of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), a term used by the government to refer to the NPA and its affiliated organizations.
The military said the discovery and recovery of the firearms represent a significant setback to the group’s armed capabilities in the area.
Officials added that removing the weapons from circulation could help prevent their possible use in activities that may threaten communities.
The operation forms part of ongoing security efforts aimed at locating and recovering illegal firearms and addressing insurgency-related concerns in parts of Eastern Visayas.
No armed encounter or arrests were reported in connection with the operation.
Authorities did not provide additional details regarding the individuals who may have stored the firearms at the site.
The military said it will continue to work with local communities and former rebels in gathering information that may assist future security operations and efforts to maintain peace and order in the region.
