The 8th Infantry Division (8ID) seized an arms cache located in the hinterlands of Barangay Rizal, Kananga, Leyte, on October 5, 2024.
According to Captain Jefferson Mariano, Chief of the 8ID Division Public Affairs Office, the recovery occurred after a family member of a neutralized Communist-Terrorist Group (CTG) member disclosed the locations of an arms cache containing three firearms.
Troops from the 93rd Infantry Battalion (93IB), under the 802nd Infantry Brigade of the division, recovered an M16 Assault Rifle, a Caliber .30 M1 Garand, a KG-9 Pistol, five magazines, and 41 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.
These items were allegedly owned by the recently dismantled Platoon 2 of the Island Committee (IC) Levox, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
Lt. Col. Charlie L. Saclot, Commanding Officer of 93IB, expressed gratitude to the family members and other stakeholders for their bravery and cooperation in promoting peace in the area.
“The successful implementation of the FReE Families Program played a vital role in the successful conduct of this operation,” Lt. Col. Saclot stated.
The Enhanced Friends Rescued Engagement through Families (E-FReE) program was launched by the Army to empower families of active New People’s Army (NPA) members, encouraging their loved ones to surrender and seek assistance from both military and local government entities.
