Cagayan de Oro City — The Philippine Army continues its efforts to ensure peace and development in the hinterlands of Misamis Oriental, fostering collaboration with local communities to address long-standing challenges in the region.

New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas operating in the hinterlands of Misamis Oriental fled from their stronghold in Balingasag town, leaving behind a cache of weapons, including a Russian-made AK-47 assault rifle, the military reported on Wednesday.

A company of the newly organized “Balatukan Hunters Company” of the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion, under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, reported the recovery of the rebels’ arms cache. The cache included a Russian-made AK-47 assault rifle and an explosive device buried in the abandoned camp.

The location of the camp was revealed by a member of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) community situated in the hinterlands of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.

“The discovery of the arms is a testament to the collaboration with the IP community towards attaining peace and development in Misamis Oriental,” the report said.

The said cache was discovered by the newly organized Balatukan Hunters of Charlie Company, 58IB. Currently, these Balatukan Hunters are still onsite for further assessment and to conduct security measures.

Last week, New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the hinterlands of the Caraga region surrendered and yielded to the Philippine Army's 26th Battalion two high-powered assault rifles and three World War II vintage rifles in exchange for cash and livelihood assistance, military reports said.

Lt. Col. Jose Redentor Gilbuela, commander of the Philippine Army’s 26th Battalion, said in a report that a regional NPA commander and four regular members from the Headquarters NPA Revolutionary Command surrendered and turned over a Russian-made AK-47 assault rifle, a US-made Colt M653 Carbine rifle, two World War II Garand rifles, and one M1 Carbine rifle with live ammunition.

The AK-47 was the favored weapon of Viet Cong guerillas during the Vietnam War, while the Colt M653, also known as the “Baby Armalite,” is a weapon used by US Navy SEALs.

Under the government reconciliation program, the rebels are paid in cash for the firearms they surrender, depending on the condition of the weapons. High-powered assault rifles command a higher payout.

The rebels decided to come down from their mountain stronghold to avail themselves of the government’s reconciliation program.