BAGUIO CITY — Authorities from the Police Regional Office in Cordillera disclosed on Monday that law enforcers seized several firearms and items belonging to members of the New People's Army in Kalinga province.

PROCor information officer Capt. Marnie Abellanida disclosed that the arms cache was discovered during a counter-insurgency operation in Barangay Mabaca in Balbalan town on 9 December.

Recovered from the operation were one Colt M16 A1; four magazines; two Garand rifles; five magazine clips; 27 pieces of 7.62 mm live ammunition; one carbine rifle; three improvised explosive devices; two M203 live ammunition; three rifle grenades; two sticks of ammonium nitrate; one 60mm live ammunition; and one mortar ammunition.

"Aside from firearms, they also found several war materials of the communist terrorist group," said Abellanida.

Also found at the site were an NPA flag and other personal belongings.

PROCor director Brig. Gen. Mafelino Bazar said the operation stemmed from information from a concerned citizen about the existence of an NPA hideout in the area and the lair was believed to be belonging to communist insurgents from the NPA's Komiteng Larangang Guerilla-Baggas.

Abellanida said that the operating team was composed of personnel from the Kalinga Police Provincial Office, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15; the Philippine Army's 50th Infantry Battalion, and the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police.

The operating troops also scoured the area for the possible presence of other explosive devices.