The 902nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army seized 22 high-powered firearms buried allegedly by the New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Sta. Isabel, Iriga City, Camarines Sur on October 3 and 4, 2024.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts to end insurgency in the Bicol region.
The operation involved troops from the 9th, 49th, and 83rd Infantry Battalions, as well as the 92nd and 93rd Division Reconnaissance Companies.
It was launched after residents reported suspicious individuals burying items in the area.
Acting on the tip, soldiers patrolled the site and discovered a hut where the owner revealed that the NPA had buried firearms nearby but could not pinpoint the exact location.
With the help of metal detectors, the troops located the cache, which included 18 M16 rifles, 2 M14 rifles, 1 M653 rifle, and a 12-gauge shotgun.
The 902nd Brigade now holds the weapons for proper documentation and disposal.