MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — Government troops have recovered two high-powered firearms, ammunition, and military equipment believed to have been abandoned by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) during focused military operations in the hinterlands of Bukidnon, the Philippine Army announced.
The cache of war materiel was discovered on July 4, 2026, inside an abandoned hut in Sitio Matangpatang, Barangay Miglamin, Malaybalay City, by troops from the 88th Infantry (Maringal) Battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arnold M. Bautista.
Recovered during the operation were one M4A1 Carbine Rifle, one Caliber .30 Carbine Rifle, two magazines, 138 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 48 rounds of Caliber .30 ammunition, and two military bags.
According to the Philippine Army, the recovery stemmed from sustained intelligence-driven operations conducted after a series of armed encounters involving government forces and communist insurgents in the area.
Military officials said the operation was launched following reports on the presence of unidentified armed individuals in the area. Acting on validated intelligence, soldiers conducted focused military operations that eventually led to the discovery of the hidden firearms and ammunition.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Brigadier General Seigfred C. Tubalado, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, whose area of responsibility covers parts of Bukidnon and neighboring provinces.
Army officials noted that the intelligence leading to the recovery was strengthened by previous combat operations conducted by the 1st Special Forces Battalion and the 8th Infantry Battalion, both operating under the 403rd Infantry Brigade, which had engaged suspected NPA fighters in earlier encounters.
Brig. Gen. Tubalado said the successful recovery reflects the military’s continuing campaign to dismantle the remaining armed capabilities of the communist insurgency in Northern Mindanao.
“The successful operation demonstrates the Armed Forces’ unwavering commitment to weakening the capabilities of the NPA by recovering their firearms and other resources that pose threats to the peace and security of communities,” Tubalado said.
Military officials believe the recovered firearms and ammunition were intentionally concealed by fleeing rebels after previous military engagements, preventing the weapons from being immediately recovered during combat operations.
The Philippine Army emphasized that every firearm seized from insurgent groups significantly reduces their capacity to launch future attacks, conduct extortion activities, and threaten civilians in conflict-affected communities.
The recovered weapons and ammunition have been placed under government custody for proper documentation, ballistic examination, and further investigation to determine their origin and possible involvement in previous armed encounters.
The 403rd Infantry Brigade reiterated its appeal for continued cooperation from local residents, urging communities to report the presence of armed groups or suspicious activities to authorities as part of the government’s ongoing counterinsurgency campaign aimed at sustaining peace, security, and development in Bukidnon and neighboring areas.